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I don't know if I have enough guts to do a whole standard jazz record.

The whole point is, give me a break with the standards. You go to the average jazz label and suggest a record and they want to know which standards you're going to play. I'm saying let's break the formula.

I've always wanted to record a jazz record. I did one in the '70s with Barbara Carroll. It's been a journey.

I recorded my first jazz record in the '70s.

I never gave up on that idea, you know, that jazz musicians have the same opportunity as everybody else and that it's what you put on that record that makes the difference whether you sell it or not or are able to get it into people's households.

I put out a recording of me singing mostly jazz because I wanted people to know I'm coming from a jazz background.

When I started recording, I thought I'd be able to do all kinds of records: jazz, country, dance - and I've always wanted to do a gospel album.

I cut myself off from the mainstream of jazz. It stood me in good stead later on, as a musician.

Oddly, when I started to make the record, I wasn't aware I was making a record. I just was sort of disgusted with the whole thing and sequestered myself in the basement and started playing the piano just for something to do.

I'm a jazz musician, and I really wanted to not miss an opportunity to have the full connection to jazz.