Singer Cynthia Layne says she was influenced by R&B, jazz, blues and classical music. (Indianapolis Star file photo)

Indianapolis jazz singer Cynthia Layne performs at the Jazz Kitchen. (Rob Goebel/Indianapolis Star)

Click here to watch the Off the Record video with Cynthia Layne

Cynthia Layne says her current album, "Beautiful Soul," has a message for listeners.

"Be cool in the skin that you're in," says the singer who grew up in Dayton, Ohio, before she became one of the most active musicians in Indianapolis.

Layne shares a bill with comedian Damon Wayans on Feb. 7 at Morty's Comedy Joint, 3625 E. 96th St. On Feb. 9, Layne is one of seven singers scheduled to present "Vocal Ease" at the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.

She recently talked to Indy.com about her influences, her record label and her collaborators:

On her musical history: "I always loved music," Layne says. "Even as a kid, we had garage bands or basement bands. I started hanging out at clubs. After sitting in with different musicians and networking, I got to sing with a house band at a club. Ever since then, I've been singing."

On her influences: "I listened to all kinds of music growing up," Layne says. "I listened to R&B, jazz, blues, classical. I think I have a wider variety of music that I like and that I've listened to. My music now is a blend and a mix of all of that. It kind of just describes me as a vocalist. "I think when you're able to fuse different styles together, it makes your music original. That's important to me as an artist. I don't want to sound like anybody else."

On her options as a performer: "If I look out there and I see the majority of the audience are conservative, older people, I may stick more to jazz standards or songs I know they can relate to," Layne says. "I also introduce them to my music."

On her lyrical focus: "I think a lot of the songs on my newest album, 'Beautiful Soul,' talk about relationships and situations," Layne says. "I've been through a lot of stuff. As you get older, you start to determine what you like and what you don't like. I think you're a little bit more true to yourself and true to what you want out of life and love."

On "Vocal Ease" night Saturday at the Jazz Kitchen: "It will be fun. It gives us a chance to collaborate with each other. We don't really get to see each other, because everybody's working," Layne says.

On being signed to Owl Studios: "It's given me momentum," Layne says. "I love my Owl Studios family. They have been great and supportive and given an opportunity to myself as well as some other musicians to get our music out beyond Indianapolis and the Midwest."

On working with songwriters and producers Rob Dixon and Reggie Bishop: "I've known Rob and Reggie for a long time," Layne says. "They wrote the music beds, and we got together to hash through some different lyrical ideas. There were arguments and disagreements, but in the end we came out with a really great product. We put our hearts and souls into the music."