My parents discussed singing every night over the dinner table; I had a tremendous music education.

Certainly, jazz has become more of a niche, which is surprising, because it's our music. It's the national music of America.

I was constantly being pushed toward a European ideal of what it means to be a classical or opera singer, let's say in the Renata Tebaldi mode. I reject that.

I don't like to sing loud.

I want to keep my voice young, with nothing heavy.

An interpretation exists because of what we find between the notes.

My mother was the worst kind of stage mother. She would make me and my younger sister and brother little duckling costumes and put us in kiddie shows.