Stephanie Nakasian has long been a well-respected singer, but one who has not been given half the recognition that she deserves. However, this CD is quite definitive, a tribute to
June Christy.
Nakasian had been a major hit at a West Coast jazz convention/festival a few years earlier, singing songs associated with
Christy and sometimes sounding remarkably close to her. The 17 selections on this CD include such
June Christy classics as "Lullaby in Rhythm," "Gone for the Day," "Midnight Sun," "Lonely Woman," "I Want to Be Happy," and of course her trademark "Something Cool." Assisted by the
Stan Getz-inspired tenor of
Harry Allen, trombonist John Jensen, and either
Hod O'Brien or Larry Eanet on piano,
Stephanie Nakasian lets her own personality into the music while sounding eerily like
Christy in spots. The arrangements are as inspired as the singing, making this set a classic of its kind. ~ Scott Yanow