IIt’s well known that the path of art in America is a busy one, with millions who expect to make it, was it the reason why you thought you had to move to Europe to start your career, or it was simply for artistic need explore some new horizons to nurture your art?
I wanted to have a different life experience I was getting tired of New York, I was there for 8 years already. You know my parents encouraged me to have a life has a person, so I always seek experience where I can grow and learn in general, and I always wanted to have a broader life after graduating from college. Moving to Paris gave me that opportunity and to see at the same time what was available to me of course I knew that France has been also in past home for several afro American artists. I knew that pursuing a career was something that will be possible there. but mainly if was for personal reason that I moved to Paris and later I thought ok may be why not check around I see.
IIt’s been 6 years you moved to France was it hard to integrate a different culture? How were your beginning in the city of love Paris?
Smiles… I decided to move there in October 2010 and I finally made the move in January 2011 didn’t make any plan, I had no money nor means to make any. of course, the language barrier was problem. I had some knowledge only in Spanish as a California native.
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Finally, I went to France as au pair, the family that hosted me has been great helping me in the integration of the French life style. Generally travelling is not a problem for me and I’m open to other cultures so it was not something really challenging. I also learned more about myself
In Paris you’ll meet with Florian Pelissier and his Quintet how was made that meeting?
I had a residence of one year performing at the Sunday Jazz Brunch in the Reservoir one of the best venue featuring Jazz artist every Sunday, DJ Julien Lebrun and Djamel Hammadi introduced me to Florian with the goal to work on a project to celebrate the 10 years of their records company
Your music is rooted in Jazz and neo soul a genre that put you most of the time in front of a savvy public, unlike pop music which is mainstream. why did you choose to go that way?
I didn’t really chose to go less mainstream I didn’t think about popularity or anything else when choosing that path, it was all about what I felt at the time I didn’t think about what kind of public I was going to get or anything like that. It’s the type of music I felt mostly related to. It’s more about what inspire me and what I feel connected to. So, I had to stay authentic to that.
What inspire you more in your craft? Does your personal life influence your art?
Yes, my personal life, travel, growing,
What was your feeling the first time you had to take the stage in front of a huge audience, the first time you hear yourself on the radio?
I didn’t really care to sing in front of a huge crowd however, before releasing the album, I spend some time working in studio, and when my album was finally released I was petrified. I didn’t know what was going to be the reaction of the public. Because the public somehow decide how far you can go. I was really scared, then I started having some positive review and finally I gained some confidence. When performing in front of the audience I try to have things under control I make sure that everything is perfectly set up that my voice sound right and I always try to be a charismatic performer. The worries can be maybe, in my communication with the public while performing.