Jazz enthusiasts should be aware of a new talent in town. If you haven't had the opportunity to catch the very beautiful and very talented Casey Lipka perform, opportunities abound this spring.

When did you get into music?

Music has always been a focal part of my life. As a kid, I would belt out pop songs, often along with my younger sister, in the car as we drove to school. My dad is a huge Beatles fan and plays guitar, so I was fortunate to grow up with live music in the house. My elementary school in Santa Monica, Calif., had a strong music and performing arts program, and it put on school-wide musicals each year. I was also exposed to Haitian music as one of the parents was from Haiti. My grandfather also contributed to my eclectic musical background. He loved Chinese opera, and I would come back after visiting with him and pretend I was a Chinese opera singer. In addition to singing, I started taking piano lessons at age 10, and in middle school I played clarinet in the school orchestra. While I was studying in Montreal, I started playing the upright bass that I often now play when performing along with singing.

Who inspires you?

I think the idea of jazz itself is incredibly inspiring. Within jazz there is a set form, but it allows so much room for improvisation and transformation.

Along with jazz itself, singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding has been a huge inspiration for me. When I first picked up the bass, someone told me there was a girl who simultaneously sang and played bass. I heard her music and fell in love with her sound when studying in Montreal, and two weeks later, I saw she had a show in New York City. I hopped on a bus and went. When I saw her perform, it reinforced the idea in me that music is so powerful. I want to be able to inspire and touch people in the way she did for me.

Tell me about your sound. Where and what did you study?

My sound combines jazz, soul, funk, contemporary and Brazilian. While I sang and played piano before college, I formally began studying music just prior to my year-long exchange program in Montreal at Concordia University. Concordia was really the beginning of my formal training and the time I decided I really wanted to pursue music. Being around such talented musicians propelled me to further my own development. I am now finishing an undergraduate degree at California State University, Sacramento, in the Vocal Jazz Program, led by Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison. Being here has allowed me the space to try new things and further my own music.

How did you get into performing?

Initially, through other musicians who I had the chance to perform with. From there, I sought out my own opportunities locally in Sacramento and Los Angeles, where I am from originally. Performing has given me a chance to expand, experiment and grow. Besides doing community outreach at local schools in Sacramento, I play gigs around town and often drop into the Tuesday night jams at the Capitol Garage where other music students and faculty at Sacramento State perform.

What do you listen to?

I am always listening to different people. Right now I am listening to Baden Powell, Ahmad Jamal, Michael Jackson, Wayne Shorter, Chet Baker, Gretchen Parlato, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Thelonius Monk, Joao Gilberto and Forward Kwenda.

Casey can be reached via her website at: caseylipka.com or by e-mail at caseylipka@gmail.com