Who do you consider to be the role model who has been the most inspirational to you as a vocalist?

Lionel Hampton taught me to sing from my heart. He told me not to be afraid to bare my soul. He always told me to sing songs that people want to hear and perform for them as if they were the only ones listening.

Lionel encouraged you to move from pop to jazz with your singing, and you ended up performing with his band for ten years. How did that metamorphosis come about?

When I first auditioned for Lionel Hampton in the early eighties in Miami I was a pop singer. When Lionel invited me to perform with the band on a more regular basis over the next 10 years, he encouraged me to take liberties with the melody line. As a pop singer you are limited to singing a straight melody line but as a jazz singer you are able to interpret the lyrics freely and express yourself as creatively as possible.

You are a big proponent of the philosophy that jazz and standards are America's best gifts to the World, and prove the point with every song you sing. When did you first start falling in love with the Great American Songbook?

I first fell in love with the Great American Songbook when I started singing as a child. I grew up in a household that was filled with music. My father used to sing all these songs. Every time I heard one of the great standards, it reminds me of times I was able to share music with my Dad. I used to perform in all the school shows from junior high school through college. I always sang the songs of the times. When I sang them when I was younger I didn’t really understand the words. For instance, I sang “How Long Has This Been Going On” when I was 12 years old. Obviously I had no idea what the song meant at that time. I had to grow up and understand the meaning of the songs myself. That’s why when I chose it for my new CD and sing it in my show now I can interpret it in a totally different way.

Your latest project, SONGS FROM THE HEART featuring The Three Tenors: Boots Randolph, Ed Calle, and Kirk Whalum, is an extraordinary collection of brilliant performances. How did the concept for this album come about?

I always wanted to do an album of love songs. My producer Hal Batt agreed and suggested that we use a small band and make the performance very intimate. I felt that the saxophone was a very sexy instrument and was perfect to complement an album of romantic standards. I was fortunate to work with Boots Randolph and he suggested we do a project together. So the first saxophone player for this album was naturally Boots. Hal wanted to invite two other tenor saxophone players so we could have three tenors playing three different styles, each one adding their own special flavor. It just felt so right calling this record “Songs from the Heart – featuring The Three Tenors.”

In looking at your website, it becomes apparent that you have totally embraced the exciting new technologies that are poised to disseminate your message and your music out to the World, and really build the market for future touring and performances. What kind of experience has it been for you to educate yourself and find the right people to get you so dialed in with the "new media"?

After being phobic about the computer for many years I was inspired to learn how to use it by my administrative assistant Janet Moorhead. She helped me realize that the world was at my fingertips and empowered me to create a website and web store so I could share my music with everyone everywhere. As I built my team to promote my music from the web designer to the video producer each one added their knowledge and experience. In the process I was educated about digital downloads and social networks like MySpace and Facebook.

Your MySpace web page mentions that it's unusual for a "card carrying member of AARP" to be kicking their career into high gear at this stage of their life. You definitely seem to be on the fast track to even more success as a performer and recording artist... more vibrant than ever, with an amazing voice that seems to get stronger and stronger with each new album. What's your advice for all of us who want to maintain our health and vigor as we find ourselves in those "AARP" years?

You’re never too old to feel young. Age is just a number. Pursue your dreams and passions. Become the best you can be at whatever you choose at whatever age you are. I love music. I love touching people though this art form and feel like I can do this forever.