I wasn't listening to that much classical music - not much more than anything else. I was really lucky to have parents who loved all kinds of music.
Cecile McLorin SalvantI think when black performers performed in blackface, they were kind of taking back slave songs, but it was still a little bit iffy because they were performing, a lot of times, for white audiences who found it hilarious.
Cecile McLorin SalvantI had a hole in my voice. It's an area in the voice where it's air. It's just - there's no - it's just very airy. And my classical teachers were just so frustrated with me because I would have these deep, low notes that were really strong, and the higher register was strong, but right in that middle area, it was really hard. It was like a passage. And many singers go through this and work it out. But I realized in jazz, I could just take advantage of that and take advantage of having a voice that was very different in different areas.
Cecile McLorin SalvantI just don't like to be in my own - I'm already myself, so I don't like to be in my own - like, watch myself.
Cecile McLorin Salvant