Black music has increased my enjoyment of what I do. It has increased my range, my ability to reach into myself and accept myself.
When I was invited to sing with Pavarotti, I had about two weeks to learn Italian.
Sinatra, here's a guy who plays a tough guy in all his movies, but was allowed to be vulnerable when he stepped up to the microphone.
I have friends who've tried to break into the UK, who went back with their tails between their legs. Fortunately I've had the opposite experience.
To sing along with Stevie Wonder, you had to make your voice do things it was not accustomed to doing.
I'm proud of my mentors. Ray Charles is the strongest influence on me as a singer.
