I was never interested in singing in the church or school. I was more interested in becoming a musician.

I cringed when I heard myself described as a Jazz singer. I've always thought of myself as a Jazz vocalist.

There was a train that would come by our house every night, and I'd hear the whistle blow. That is the sweetest memory I have.

Miles Davis was doing something inherently African, something that has to do with all forms of American music, not just jazz.

My grandmother sang, too, and she was really loud. It was this wild kind of singing. I count her among my influences.

I was never interested in singing in the church or school. I was more interested in becoming a musician.

I'm always imagining some sort of story behind the song, even the ones I haven't written. I'm actively engaging in playacting.