Terry Gross

Her father is from Iceland, and Leve grew up listening to recordings from his jazz collection.

She started piano lessons at age four, cello lessons at age eight, and performed on cello with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra when she was 15.

She describes her music as taking inspiration from the past with lyrics firmly rooted in the present.

Her concerts are filled with listeners in their 20s who may not know or care much about jazz or classical music.

Leve is 26.

She started attracting an audience during the COVID lockdown when she began posting videos of her singing jazz standards and originals, accompanying herself on cello, guitar, or piano.

She brought her guitar with her today to play and sing some songs, including music from her new album, A Matter of Time.

Let's start with a track called Clockwork.

It's an upbeat love song with an obvious jazz influence.

So here's Clockwork.

Leve, welcome to Fresh Air.

It's a pleasure to have you on the show and thank you for bringing your guitar with you.

We'll hear some music in a couple of minutes.

You're so popular, especially among people in their 20s.

Your first music festival was when you performed at Lollapalooza and you brought an orchestra with you.

What insights does that offer about who you are and about your music?

Let's talk a little bit about your musical origin story.

Your mother plays violin in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

What did you learn about music from hearing her practice at home?

When you started taking music lessons, would your mother ever holler from another room?