Norah Jones: I am influenced by musicians of the older generation

Norah Jones took the music industry in the West by storm when she won many Grammy Awards for her debut album 'Come Away With Me' in 2002. Hailing from an illustrious family, the daughter of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar is taking her father's legacy forward and wants to collaborate with Indian artistes. Norah talks about singing alongside legends, writing political songs and managing tours while being a hands-on mom.
How do you juggle between being a musician and a mother?
It is tough logistically, but worth it.Now the kids are young, so it's okay. But when they go to school, it's going to be hard to tour as much. We're going to try and see how it goes. Hopefully, they will be good travellers. My son does get car-sick sometimes, but maybe he will settle in later.
You won multiple Grammy Awards when you were just 23. So when you do an album, is there pressure, given the expectations?
In the beginning it was a little overwhelming. I felt the pressure, but I did a good job of not letting it get into my own musical process and affect it. It has given me a lot of freedom to do what I want and I think that's what I have done over the years. So, I feel super lucky that I can do what I want without feeling the pressure.
Your father lost his first Grammy. Are you more careful with your awards?
I haven't lost any yet. I have displayed them in my music room. I'm quite careful that way.
Your songs have a political, socially-aware streak running through them. Do you actively seek to write in that space?
I don't know if I write songs like those on purpose, but it's an internal process. So, song writing is my outlet. Frustrations, for sure, played a part in some of my songs.
Do you plan to collaborate with Indian musicians?
You know there are so many great Indian musicians. I don't have any names on the tip of my tongue right now, but yes I would. I have collaborated with my sister Anoushka in the past and it was super fun. We did a bunch of concerts in India. I love the rhythm and harmony of Indian music. I would definitely do something If I get an opportunity.
You've always jammed with older artistes. How about making music with younger pop stars like Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus?
I would love to work with younger artistes, but I'm not sure that the ones you have mentioned are the ideal 'young' artistes out there (laughs). I am open to anything. True, I am influenced by music of the yesteryears and artistes from an older generation. But, yes I am open to anything.
You're going back to your roots, i.e. jazz music with your latest album 'Day Breaks'. What prompted you to do this after experimenting with different genres in the past?
I had played with Wayne Shorter (dubbed the greatest living jazz composer), Bryan Blade and John Patitucci at a concert. And I thought, 'This is cool, let's do something like this again and record it.' I started playing the piano and even wrote a few tracks. At first, I went in with Bryan and the great bass player Chris Thomas. Towards the end, I did sessions with Wayne and John and that was how the album came out.
Is there a survival guide to not appear star-struck while playing with your idols?
When I was collaborating with Wayne and he was doing his solo piece, it was so beautiful. He is somebody who doesn't play unless he's feeling it. He doesn't play notes; he plays music. And I remember thinking, 'Oh crap, I'm playing piano underneath Wayne Shorter and he's doing his solo. This is crazy.' And as he was done with his solo, it was time for me to pick up my piano. For a few seconds there, I was like, 'What am I doing?' (laughs). And then I was back in the music and back to feeling 'What's going on'. But it was fun. I mean, if you let yourself get freaked out about it, it ruins the moment. So, it's just better to remember that you are all there to do the same thing.