Sometimes I sound like gravel, and sometimes I sound like coffee and cream.

Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.

I only knew classical music, which to me was the only true music. The only way I could survive at the bar was to mix the classical music with popular songs, and that meant I had to sing. What happened was that I discovered I had a voice plus the talent to mix classical music together with more popular songs, which at the time I detested.

Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.

I didn't get interested in music. It was a gift from God.

This may be a dream, but I'll say it anyway: I was supposed to be married last year, and I bought a gown. When I meet Nelson Mandela, I shall put on this gown and have the train of it removed and put aside, and kiss the ground that he walks on and then kiss his feet.