Madeleine Peyroux
Madeleine Peyroux
Madeleine Peyrouxis an American jazz singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Peyrouxis noted for her vocal style, which has been compared to that of Billie Holiday. Peyroux has cited Holiday, Bessie Smith, Patsy Cline, Édith Piaf, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Mercer, Charlie Chaplin, Serge Gainsbourg and Bob Dylan as influences on her music...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionJazz Singer
Date of Birth18 April 1974
CityAthens, GA
CountryUnited States of America
My father's record collection was full of New Orleans music of all kinds. I used to listen to the radio in New York, and all there was on it at the time was Madonna and Michael Jackson, so it sort of passed me by.
I had my guitar and some talent so that I could make friends with intelligent people and could talk my way out of difficult situations.
I love playing to people and seeing them react.
I've always loved singing. I find it exhilarating.
It's wonderful to work with someone with mentor status.
My father had a varied ear, from Hank Williams to Ravel.
No matter where we come from or where we're going, we've all got memories to contend with, and it's always best not to do this alone!
Once I was in the city, I really enjoyed it. Just to experience things. There was so much new stuff.
Second records aren't usually very good. Even Bob Dylan's was a bit disappointing.
I think I was probably an early teenager when I discovered Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and a bunch of people that are on a long list of artists. They were important to me, especially as an early adolescent.
It's great to have other people's help. Then the music gets heard. There's a lot more commercial support for that now.
My parents were older than normal when they had me, and had been very into the politics of the 1960s, so I was brought up in that atmosphere.