I try to tell the story about the song with the believability that I've lived it myself and I understand what it's all about.

I have a very strong passion to sing and paint. I'm really a student.

I've been so fortunate because I never really had ups and downs as far as my career. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I've been sold out all over the world.

The young people look great on television. They’re youthful and have a lot of zip and energy, but when you see them live, they can only do about 20 minutes because they haven’t got the training to hold an audience for an hour and a half or so.

Sometimes the teacher would tell me that if you're singing a love song and you just don't feel it with a person or something you've experienced, just think of a dog or cat that you love.

More than anybody else I’d like to thank Count Basie for teaching me how to perform.

I plan to do my next two albums with Lady Gaga . She is quite a talent.