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Norah Jones: Comfortable at Home.

Norah Jones has won eight Grammys, and has sold over eight million albums. Her latest release is entitled “Feels Like Home.” She has one of the most distinctive voices in all of music, and is also an accomplished pianist. Norah took some time out of her busy schedule to answer five questions in an exclusive interview.

You attended a performing arts high school. Do you have a favorite memory from high school?
I just remember the whole experience being wonderful. Kids were dancing in the hallways and music was always coming out of the rooms. I learned a lot from the teachers, but mostly from the other students.

After winning eight Grammy’s did you feel that there were a lot of expectations for “Feels Like Home?”
I’ve been lucky because I’ve been able to keep all expectations and pressure away from me. The label had to have high expectations, but they never put it on me, and I never put it on myself. My goal was to make a record that I loved, and I think that the band and I did the best job we possibly could have. Success is nice but the most important thing to me right now is to make the music good.

What do you feel is the most personal song on “Feels Like Home?”
Hmmmmmmm. I guess “What Am I to You?” is pretty personal for me because it is the 2nd song I wrote after I moved to NY. I wrote it 4 and a half years ago. It was late at night and I had just come back from seeing some great music and I was inspired.

What are your hobbies?
I like to cook or watch a good movie or read a good book.. Pretty normal stuff. Living in New York, one of my favorite things to do is sit at an outside café and people watch. There are some interesting characters around.

You’ve been quoted as saying that you like intimate music. Was the writing and recording process on “Feels Like Home” intimate?
It was about as intimate as the last recording was. It was me and my band; which always feels comfortable. It was like a little family in the studio. When we had some special guests come in, they were all nice, so it never disturbed that family vibe.

Norah’s latest CD is “Feels Like Home,” which is out now on Blue Note Records. For more info on Norah, check out www.norahjones.com