NY: This next album is mostly originals, so I co-wrote most of the songs, actually.
Jazz Monthly: That is fantastic. I cannot wait. You’ve got me excited all over again.
NY: Thank you.
Jazz Monthly: So tell me, what’s your favorite thing about recording a song? What’s the most exciting part?
NY: I think it depends on the song. For example, one of the songs on the album is sort of Eva Cassidy-like almost, you know what I mean? It’s like a real Norah Jones- like folky kind of ballad and it’s beautiful, and for that song my inspiration just comes from the melody. That’s why the song is just so unusual but it’s still at the same time so beautiful. So when I was singing that one, I just wanted to sing it 10 times over again even if we already had the take set. They were like “Okay, we’re done with that song.” I’m like “Hey, can we just do it one more time?”
There’s another song on there that’s really like Motown-y, really influenced by Motown and stuff, and like Stevie Wonder’s in there—not actually. You could really tell that I’m inspired by him and Aretha and Marvin Gaye, and so for those it’s like I just tell everyone before, “Think Motown” and then everyone just has that mindset and we’re all like grooving to it and all funky, and it’s so much fun.
Jazz Monthly: That is so cool. It’s fun but it’s a very cool intellectual approach because it does create the atmosphere to get into that moment of Motown.
NY: That’s really the most important thing and that’s also why picking the right studio is important too because if you’re in an environment that you’re not comfortable in, then the songs aren’t gonna come out okay, and also everybody has to be sync with each other. I always make sure. Well, we usually are because we all get along marvelously, but let’s say there’s something that needs to be cleared, I’ll always make sure that it’s clear beforehand so that everybody’s feeling the same vibe as I am or let’s say I’m feeling the same vibe as someone in my band. So everybody has to be into it and the studio, luckily for this CD, was in Montreal and it was perfect and there was hardwood floors and a little kitchen. It was so cozy and I love that sort of environment. I always had candles in my little booth too.
Jazz Monthly: Yes. Talk about some of the artists that you’ve worked with or met that really was amazing for you.
NY: Well, I’m working with Phil Ramone, who’s my producer. I consider that an artist, you know what I mean?
Jazz Monthly: Oh yes.
NY: He’s unbelievable and I’m so happy to be working with him because he’s produced most of my favorite artists of all time and now I’m in that list. I’m flipping out because, I mean, I respect him so much for what he’s accomplished and what he’s done, and I think it goes without saying that he’s by far one of the best producers of all time and I’m so happy, I’m so happy that he’s on my first album, that he’s doing this with me. Well, I’m not actually producing it, but I’m really happy that he’s involved because it’s sort of like a seal of sort of closure and confidence that it will do okay, and that it’ll sound great because I really trust him with this because he knows exactly what I want to hear too, so it’s really amazing to have him with us. And also I’m working with Wyclef, you know, Wyclef Jean.
Jazz Monthly: Yes.
NY: Yeah, he’s unbelievable too because he produces and he sings and he does hip hop and he’s quite versatile. It’s cool to go from one studio to another, one with Phil Ramone and one with Wyclef, because it’s two totally different things and I enjoy both of them, so he’s definitely another person that I really enjoyed working with. I really respect John Mayer as a singer and a songwriter, and I actually met him.
I spent think an hour with him, but he was such a cool guy, so that was definitely one person that I really enjoyed hanging out with for a bit. I’m really looking forward to just continuing to see who I continue to work with because I’m really getting opportunities that I’m really, really appreciative for. These are people that inspired me to do what I’m doing, and so it’s cool to be able to say that I met them.
Jazz Monthly: Yes, I’ll say.
NY: But at the same time, I still can appreciate the fact that they’re just people and we all have different passions in the world and theirs happens to be music and so is mine, so it’s cool to meet someone with a common interest.
Jazz Monthly: Yes.
NY: And also I was on a six-city tour with Marvin Hamlisch and it was an honor to be with him because I love Broadway and he’s a legend. Also, I love Barbra Streisand he wrote some of her greatest hits like “The Way We Were” so it’s really cool to be with him. He’s also hilarious and he’s great company, he’s so funny.
Jazz Monthly: Oh, well, my goodness, you’re just having a good time, aren’t ya?
NY: I am.
Jazz Monthly: You truly deserve it and I must say that listening to you sing creates an excitement that I haven’t heard in quite some time.
NY: Thank you.
Jazz Monthly: Yes, and I think I speak for thousands of people that have seen your live performance and that hear your music on TV. I think that you have a certain appeal and I call it delectable connectives in that there’s this instant appeal to not only what you do but who you are.
NY: Thank you.
Jazz Monthly: Oh, absolutely.
NY: Because I really do put my heart and soul into it when I sing and I think that’s how come people often tell me that I’m relatable when I’m on stage.For some reason they tell me that they can connect and that’s really cool because that’s sort of what I strive for and it’s nice to know that people can see that. I really do put so much into it and it’s cool to see that it actually does pay off.
I’m really doing this for myself. I want to prove to myself that I can do this and I’m continuing to do it, and I just want to see how far I can go. You know, I want to see where this takes me. I’m really curious and I’m also very impatient. I’m like “Come on, I wanna see what happens next.” I constantly set bars for myself because I just want to improve and it’s for the artistry of it and for the growth and that’s really why I’m in it. I don’t care if I become famous or not; I just want to continue to sing for my entire life.
Jazz Monthly: Yes, well, I think it’s just an amazing approach that you have to making music and it’s like you’re always saying “I just can’t wait to sing another song” and I love that. That is a beautiful thing and it reminds me of an artist that doesn’t want to take night off, it’s a great vibe.
