Nina Ferro's career was sealed from childhood. Her parents' music library was extensive, her grandmother was an opera singer and she started music lessons as soon as she could barely walk.

It is no wonder Ms Ferro is now considered one of Australia's finest performers, thanks to her quality of tone, grace and relaxed technique.

"My grandmother was an opera singer, so I guess that's the most obvious genetic link, but my mother also has a beautiful singing voice.

"I knew from a very early age that music and singing would be my life's calling," she tells The Times.

Ms Ferro will be performing on Saturday during the Jazz and Rock Festival with a repertoire consisting mainly of her original songs.

Her songs are jazz-based, fused with soul, blues and funk and for her Malta gig she also plans to perform re-workings of some jazz standards and a couple of her favourite soul tunes.

Ms Ferro started classical singing lessons at high school, though she also learnt to play the piano and the clarinet. At home, the stereo was constantly playing music, ranging from Verdi to Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, George Benson and Stevie Wonder.

She performed in school choirs, ensembles, musicals, and by the age of 15, she was performing as a backing singer around town.

Two years later she began singing jazz with a band of young musicians, formed a band and jumped on the festival bandwagon around the world.

"Singing has taken me to some amazing places all over the world. I'm blessed to be able to do the thing I love most and combine travel with it," she muses.

Before she knew it, she was performing alongside many artistes, many of whom are idols of hers.

She has performed with legendary performers including Les Paul, Chick Corea and Tony Bennett, the latter describing her as "a fabulous performer with a knockout voice".

She is evidently touched: "Each person brings a fingerprint, something completely theirs and that's what makes it such an inspirational moment.

"Tony Bennett was the first major musician I had the pleasure of supporting. His style, grace and classiness were bewitching. He commands the stage. I have such love and respect for him."

What makes a good singer?

"I can say it's a combination of lovely tone and good pitch with great phrasing, but ultimately they're just words to describe something that pretty much any 'good' singer has.

"Life experience and being able to communicate those experiences are what makes a great singer.

"Billie Holiday, for example, really didn't have the best voice if you broke it down to each component, but she makes me cry... There is something I can't explain.

"Then there are singers like Stevie Wonder who would have to be one of the musicians I most admire and who has influenced me the most."

She also looks up to singers like Prince and Frank Sinatra for musical inspiration, apart from her peers from Australia.

"They're all so talented and creative. I admire them very much, they inspire me and we support each other as much as we can through music and life."

A number of jazz/soul artistes have broken into the mainstream. Does she aspire to do a Joss Stone?

"Ha, ha, something close to it would be great," she says. "I want to continue writing songs and recording albums. I would hope that people continue to enjoy the songs I write and things I have to say.

"I hope to have a long and wonderful career in music, even if at times, it feels like there are more obstacles than opportunities. I love singing and I love performing and, as long as I'm able and I have people to sing to, I'll keep doing it."