I always believed a singer should be able to sing any kind of song. If I wanted to sing a Cole Porter song, I should be able to do that. Or Sherry, I should be able to do that. Or a Dylan song.

It was very important to establish a sound, so that people heard a record on the radio and knew immediately that it was you.

Grease is the word, is the word that you heard, It's got groove, its got feeling.

You can take the guy out of the neighborhood but you can't take the neighborhood out of the guy.

Jazz was my first love.

I grew up beyond proud - we didnt have much, but we had a lot of love.

Becoming successful is a relentless pursuit. Its good that its that way: When it does come, you learn to know how to appreciate it, and know how lucky you are to be doing something that you love so much.