Anna Kendrick

I love jazz because it is timeless, classy and classic, sophisticated, can have great variety within it, and it's a catalyst for listeners to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves. I was first exposed to jazz through musicals as a child by my father, since many older musicals carried jazz and blues songs in them. Peggy Lee as "Peg" was one of my favorite cartoons because she was so amazing in "Lady And The Tramp!" I also loved Jessica Rabbit's performance of "Why Don't You Do Right" in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and was heavily influenced and in awe of Shirley Bassey's vocal performance of "Goldfinger" in the James Bond film "Goldfinger." I was so enamored by these cartoon jazz icons that when my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up when I was a child I said "a cartoon!" I honestly don't remember saying this, but I'm sure the reason behind it was because I really dug Peg and Jessica Rabbit's vibes and vocal prowess! The first jazz record I bought was Marilyn, which has a few jazzy numbers mixed in with the cabaret/musical numbers, after having seen "Some Like It Hot." My advice to new listeners... keep an open mind.