Cécile McLorin Salvant is a jazz vocalist who was born and raised in Miami with her French mother and Haitian father. She started classical piano studies at age 5 and began singing in a children’s choir at 8. Cecile moved to France in 2007 to study both classical voice and also law. When she was there, she began learning about and singing jazz and recorded her first album, Cécile. She soon won the prestigious Thelonious Monk competition. Her second album, WomanChild was nominated for a Grammy. Her third album,* For One To Love*, her fourth, Dreams and Daggers, and her fifth, The Window, have all won Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

She joined Julia for a conversation about everything from food to music, desire to criticism, poetry, and more.

Follow-up links:

• For more about Cécile and her music, head here.
• For Cécile's Tiny Desk Concert, head here.
• For more about H.E.L.P., head here.
• For more about this show's sponsor Lulu & Georgia, head here (and use the code ‘KEEPCALM10’ for 10% off of your first purchase).
• For more about Julia and her wife Grace's living room makeover in partnership with Lulu & Georgia, head here.
• For more about Julia and her work, head here.