I wanted to write a Blues for young people that was happier than melancholy. Working with Jimmy Owens is always a challenging education for me as a jazz singer, because I am a baby! I know nothing enough about jazz! I knew nothing enough about parenting either! But, I do know about joyfulness and working with Jimmy is always joyful.

I taught him something by calling a song in a key that is not usually played in; he kindly tells me this after the fact of the concert! And the way he said it was only as a great college professor would say it to a student… “Thank you for helping me practice this song, in all 12 keys!”

I thought to myself in that split second… All 12 keys?!!! I never do that, whoops! What a kind way to learn a lesson that still sticks with me the rest of my human years