What sets Nnenna Freelon apart from many jazz vocalists is that she didn't begin her career until she was in her late thirties with three children in tow. Freelon worked  in the health care field  before deciding to enter the music world.  She studied with multi instrumentalist Yusef Lateef and sat in with Ellis Marsalis. He gave her demo to the right people at Columbia and she became a signed artist.  Freelon has been nominated many times for the coveted Grammy, and she certainly does have awards.  Nneena Freelon is a courageous, and refreshing singer with a winning style.