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First off I have to admit that Jazz is not my forte. However this artist really peeked my interest for jazz. So many influences are mixed in that every song his a refreshing discovery. Native of my hometown of Montreal now living in The USA, It's a pleasure to welcome to the ezine, Celine Berman. Hello and how are you?

Hey Claude, I’m quite fine and hope you are too.

Yes,I am! What do you say to people who have not yet discovered Jazz?

Go hear what you’re missing! Don’t feel intimidated, jazz is accessible and fun! Start with asking about the jazz standards – chances are you’ll recognize a whole bunch of songs. Once you hear a few tunes, get a little more adventurous and seek those singers, musicians, bands that display this inventiveness and synergy. Discover scat, and improvisation which sometimes sound like the musicians in the band having a musical conversation. Beware, you may very well get hooked!

You have spent some time in the Jazz world, is there anything in jazz for you to explore?

I don’t know where to begin there is so much I’d like to do! I like the latin influence that has been part of jazz now for decades (Brazilian Jazz). I incorporate a lot of this in my repertoire and try to sing most of it in Portuguese. Audiences respond really well to it, and also to including songs in French, which I do routinely. It adds a new twist to what is normally heard across the USA, possibly less in Canada.

Further, some songs are more challenging, such as Chick Correa’s Spain, Crystal Silence. Then there are other songs like Oleo and Donna Lee. I want to integrate more of these as well at some point either on a CD, definitely to live audiences. Oleo picked up some special notices, people not knowing there are words to this ‘bop tune! So much to do, so little time!

And the question I ask all artists, What is for you the most difficult part of creating?

I like to have space and no constraints or distractions to create. Sometimes it seems utopic since often times the inspiration knocks and I’m not able to attend to it – to find I’ve lost the idea before putting it down. I’ve learned to carry a pocket voice recorder which has helped. Then, there is always the self-criticism – am I “reaching” the audience, is it something they will enjoy, whether it’s music, lyrics or interpretation.

Your rendition of "Que reste t-il de nos amours" is really great, brought back some memories of my childhood:-)Have you ever done an English version?

Yes, people ask for “I wish you love” and I like to oblige, but call me sentimental, I sometimes do it half in English, half in French.

The title of your CD "Go-Do-Be" Such simple little words but big on meaning is very representative. And a collection of amazing cuts! What prompted the choice?

3 Action Verbs – no doubt the fabric of getting things done, realized … The choices were prompted by a need to show Jazztrack’s versatility, musical influences, resilience of the material over the years, whether the piece is a bit obscure or not, and of course the fact that audiences request these over and over, like Summertime and “A-Train”. Also had to include an original piece (Don’t you hear a word I been sayin’)because we’re into writing as well.

What in particular is the greatest quality of this CD?

It is an honest sounding cd – come and see us live and it’s not very different, our sound, my voice – there is no overproduction on this CD.

Before I forget, where can the readers order it?

You can order it on our website www.jazztrack.com and we have a quick turnaround – zip!

Do you have a "Special place" where you go to replenish the creative sources? I’m very much a homebody – I like my home, spending time with my husband Charles who is a freelance bass player in Charlotte – he’s on the CD and has produced it as well. We’re very close. I also like my cats and my garden. I lead a very privileged life that way. Home is where my heart really is.

When you decide which musician to include, what do you look for?

I like musicians with a nice disposition, knowledgeable and supportive, ready to work and not inhibited to create and try things with a singer. My musicians are also very generous of their talent.

Is there a question you've never been asked you wished someone had in an interview? And if so what would be the answer?

There is probably a ton of them, but Joe Kelley asked me an interesting question on his “Upper With Joe Kelley” show – if I could have a dream band, who would they be. It was fun to think about this – how do they say: “dreaming’s the easy part”?

I thank you for taking time in your busy shedule for participating in this ezineterview, would you have a parting message for the readers?

Stay with this e-zine, sounds like good information is coming your way! Also, don’t let schools abolish their music programs. Without music life would be sickeningly lacking.

Once again dear readers, I invite you to visit the site http://www.jazztrack.com and you must have at least one Jazz CD! make it this one!