Melody Gardot

While recovering from a serious accident, Gardot recorded and released Worrisome Heart, which brings to mind Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell and Eva Cassidy while fusing blues, folk and jazz. Hear Gardot perform live in concert from WXPN and World Café Live in Philadelphia.

Gardot didn't start her musical career out of a grand artistic vision. While riding her bicycle, she was hit by the driver of a Jeep making an illegal turn. Hospitalized for months, Gardot used music for recovery therapy, at doctors' suggestion.

Since being struck by a car, Gardot has suffered from short-term memory loss, sensitivity to light and sound, and the inability to sit up straight. But a doctor's suggestion to try music therapy has led to a burgeoning career on stage.

The year's best jazz albums reach into your world rather than demanding that you reach into theirs, KPLU's Nick Francis says. Here, he picks 10 fun recordings with a contemporary attitude compliant to listeners' daily lives.