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On “Dream Dancing”

“For her latest outing, Melissa leaned into the Great American Songbook for a collection of brilliant reinventions.” - Downbeat Magazine (5 Stars)

One word best describes the album Dream Dancing -perfect! - Jersey Jazz

“Vocalist Melissa Stylianou, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, and bassist Ike Sturm make for a canorous combination. A working trio elevated by keen conversational rapport and an embrace of spur-of-the-moment suggestions, theirs is quite simply a perfect partnership. With supreme skill and creative charm(s), these three turn old favorites into new treasures. ” - JazzTimes

“This is Melissa's 6th solo album and she takes the opportunity full on to deliver in a soft, cajoling voice - think Blossom or Astrud - what must surely be in the running for jazz vocal album of the year despite the strong competition on either side of the Atlantic.” - Bebop Spoken Here

“This is one of the glut of records which were recorded in 2019 and on track for a 2020 release but shelved when the arts were crushed in the 2020 global takeover. What’s extraordinary is that it features ageless guitarist Gene Bertoncini at the top of his game on a nylon-string model. For one, there isn’t a lot of acoustic guitar jazz, and there also aren’t many octogenarians with the effortless fluidity and gravitas that Bertoncini brings out here. Stylianou’s characteristically eclectic approach results in a lot of freshness to this collection of standards.” - New York Music Daily

"Melissa Stylianou is a respected jazz vocalist who began her career in Toronto and now calls New York City home. Her voice floats effortlessly above the simple beauty of guitar and bass on her latest record. Stylianou has teamed up with two legends and the result is an intimate encounter among thoughtful musicians." - The Belleville Intelligencer

"Clear high voice, impeccable intonation, virtuoso scat technique...make Dream Dancing an excellent gift for lovers of chamber vocal jazz." - JazzQuad

"A nice trip down memory lane, this program would be at home at any cabaret but the level of performance should be a clue that you shouldn't mind going to a joint with a higher cover---it'll be worth it." Midwest Record

“Listening to this entire exceptional program is pure joy!” — Rufus Reid

On “No Regrets”

"Smart. Seamless. Stunning." - JazzTimes

"...a jazz singer with a comfortable and thoughtful relationship to the standard songbook." - New York Times

"Her subtle charms are in abundance on her latest album, 'No Regrets'." - The New Yorker

On “Silent Movie”

“With Silent Movie, she settles into a spellbinding groove that advances her to the forefront of contemporary vocalists, rivaling the storytelling élan of Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon.” * 4.5 stars - Downbeat

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