At the age of 15 months my daughter was diagnosed with very bad asthma, and essentially I put my career on hold for a good eight years.

But at the age of 44, I sure hope to be a better businesswoman. I want to get the music straight to my fans.

I struggled with being in the public eye, losing my anonymity when my star rose quickly in the late 90's. But I need the challenge of showing up and getting up there to spill my guts and connect with my loyal folks.

Being a writer is a very private, internal process. Ultimately I am more the writer, being an introvert.

I like doing the crossword puzzle in the New York Times, not watching E! on TV.

I was curious and hungry at a young age, and jazz was such a mystery to me, an ocean where you can express yourself in the moment. It represented freedom, it represented wearing wings and going somewhere with music.

I hope and believe we are paving a better future for female artists to come