My earliest influences were things I heard in my household.

The short answer is, yes, I think I have become a better singer.

As far as other instrumentalists, I used to love mellow sax players like Paul Desmond. I love piano.

I feel fortunate that I was able to step away from it when I wasn't interested.

My parents were music lovers and collectors. It was around.

I love all kinds of music.

I'm still trying to re-create a Ray Charles concert that I heard when I was fifteen years old, and all my nerve endings were fried and transformed, and electricity shot through me.