Are the standards infinite sources for improvisation?

Improvisation is about being inventive. This is an attribute of the improviser rather than the thematic material. If you remain fresh and inventive, you can improvise on any thematic material. The rest is just a question of preference. For me it's the standards, for others, it's something else.

Do you consider yourself a jazz singer?

This is a tough question to answer although I don't think that it's any harder than asking a saxophonist if they consider themselves a jazz saxophonist. Personally, I don't worry too much about the answer. I do what I do and sing the way I sing without trying to fit into some definition. I would say that what I do fits most comfortably into the jazz genre and tradition.

Your favorite composer? Why?

My favourite composer is Ravel. He takes me to another world. My favourite song writer is Paul Simon. He makes me laugh and brings me warmth!

Please describe your repertoire

Man has been writing love songs for as long as there has been music. I sing love songs and the songs I peform are from what I call The Great American Songbook. I grew up on the musicals and movies and that is where my repertoire comes from. But there are many influenes "behind the scenes," my repertoire may be the from the Great American Songbook but the sources from which I take my musical inspiration comes from all sorts of repertoire.

Which is your favorite tune? Why?

This changes practically every day, but the one I always come back to is Irving Berlin's They Say It's Wonderful. I can't think of any song in which the harmony, melody and lyrics all work together as well to tell such a beautiful story.

Do you think one day you will sing and record with a big band? Would you appreciate?

I have no plans to record with a big band at present although it may happen. I do work around Europe with big bands and always enjoy it. I also present the BBC Big Band's radio show on BBC 2 here in England. I guess if it was 1955 and Count Basie was available, I would drop everything to go and record with him! Not to mention that I might have shared a bill with Joe Williams and got to watch him with Basie from the wings!

How is the jazz scene in the UK? A lot of work? Many concerts? Good local musicians?

The jazz scene in the UK is very good, at least it seems to be so for myself and for many musicians whom I know. I tour for much of the year, performing in theatres, concert halls and clubs. My regular band is British and having performed around the world with many musicians of many nationalities, I can confidently say that they are world class.

Your favorite past and present jazz singers. Reasons why please.

I love Ella Fitzgerald and Mildred Bailey. Both have voices that are a joy to hear. I also love Irene Kral (Roy's sister). She sings with an elegance that is so natural. Mostly, I listen to the singers who you'd think of as pop singers, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day and Nat Cole. Also, I love Fred Astaire. He sings in a conversational way that brings the lyrics alive. I don't really listen to many singers that are around today. Shirley Horn has a beautiful delivery, similar to Fred Astaire's. You hear the lyrics frist and the singing second. She's not a jazz singer, but I love Macy Gray for her unusal voice and whacky song writing.

Is it important for a jazz singer to sell in the comercial/popular market?

It is very important for me to reach a popular market, not because I want to sell a lot of records or be famous but because I believe that the music we play can have a very broad appeal. We have whole families come to our shows, three generations all sitting together! This is a music that unites the generations. Fans have told me wonderful stories, like bringing my cds into the delivery room to have their babies - so, people have been born to my music and they have been buried to it, too. So, it is clear to me that this is a kind of music that people like to have as part of their lives. I believe that if enough people find out about us, we could sell as many records as pop artists. Good songs and good music are never out of style. But I will not change what I do in order to be successful. It is more important to be honest than rich!

How did you find Portuguese audiences?

The Portuguese audiences are wonderful, friendly and warm. I always come to the front of house to meet people and do signings after the show because it is so much fun to meet people from around the world and to hear their stories. Portuguese is such a beautiful language, I am now determined to add it to my French, Italian and German.