Nicki Mathis

I love jazz because...it's the best music in the world. I was first exposed to jazz in my teens listening to Billy Eckstine & Sarah Vaughan on the radio. I met Jerry Sandifer in El Paso, TX, he's the first bandleader who hired me. The best show I ever attended was...a whole lot of 'em, and probably Lena Horne's The Lady and Her Music. The first jazz record I bought was...probably Billie Holliday's recording of Gloomy Sunday. Why I ever chose it I don't know, I just remember playing it over & over & over. My advice to new listeners...Listen. Or whatever else you have in mind.