I listened to Billie Holiday a lot in order to learn to sing. She remains one of the extraordinary jazz singers. But my intent is to become my own voice, to be able to interpret these songs in my own way.

It's great to have other people's help. Then the music gets heard. There's a lot more commercial support for that now.

I'm very conscious of developing my singing, technically and stylistically. I want it to become more individual, express more of me. That's my goal. These songs are steps along that way.

I was very lucky. Things happened, both bad and good, but I never got into real, deep trouble. But it wore me down. By the time I was 18, I was done. I didn't want to live the life any more. I needed to develop past the point that busking takes you to.

My father had a varied ear, from Hank Williams to Ravel.

I had my guitar and some talent so that I could make friends with intelligent people and could talk my way out of difficult situations.

It's wonderful to work with someone with mentor status.