Interviewed By Ross von MetzkeTempo Editor

Music, as its own entity, comes in all different shapes and sizes.

Across genres and boundaries, from rhythm and blues to opera,talent is relative to the type of sounds one endeavors to make, aswell as the success and accessibility of the results.

A voice, however, is a different story.

Only a very few are gifted with a truly brilliant instrument, amuscle that transcends symphonic stereotype and flows through eachnew song effortlessly, taking command of the of the musical genre.

KathleenBattle may be considered a genius of opera, but hand her an ArethaFranklin tune and watch her flounder. Same can be said of MichaelBolton’s sad attempt to join the three tenors. Sure, these performersare gifted in their own fields, but take them outside their field ofwork and witness disaster taking form.

One woman breaks all the rules, boldly going wherever the momenttakes her, and garnering more critical acclaim with each new step.You may not know her name yet, but you will.

Linda Eder, best known as the Broadway belter behind “Jekyll andHyde,” started out with a passion for classical and opera. Her soloalbum efforts (including the just released “It’s No Secret Anymore”)have explored the realms of big band, balladry and Broadway.

But for a professionally trained “artist,” as the clich