With over 38 years of experience, Dana Gillespie is one of the most accomplished and admired female blues vocalists in the United Kingdom. With 37 albums to her credit, she has become a world-renowned blues singer. Dana started her career at the tender age of 15, and quickly showed that she was extremely talented. "I sincerely believe that the kind of craft that blues music requires, can only be acquired with experience and practice over the years . Blues music calls for a more mature approach. . Though I gave my best shot to it when I was young, I could have done much better with age and experience," reveals the Queen of Blues music, Dana Gillespie, while talking to Mumbaibest.

Dana took up music at a very early age, during a visit to America. She was impressed by the performers, their style and way of conveying different emotions. "Every American singer, at some point or the other, has been in the school of blues music. And I feel very proud to be a part of this school. Bessie Smith played a very important role in building up my career. She was the one to discover the dormant singer in me and helped me to bring it out," says Dana.

Dana has been visiting India once or twice a year for the last 25 years, and India remains one of her favourite countries. This was from her attire which consisted of kurta, pyjama, and bangles. " I was really impressed by the art and architecture of India. When I visited Udaipur and Jaipur, I could not resist falling in love with these places," says Dana. She has also worked on fusion with Indian music having worked with several Indian Musicians. " When I first listened to Mohammad Rafi's songs, I decided to remake one of his songs in English. 'Move Your Body Close To Me', was the title of the song. I worked with Jagjit Singh and Pankaj Udhas in a few albums . I love listening to Indian classical music, which is considered to be exotic. Indian music was not exposed to the outer world for a long time, people like Ravi Shankar and his contemporaries have taken it beyond the boundaries of India", says Dana.

Dana's time with the Mojo Blues Band, a purist outfit that backed all the American blues musicians, helped her to acquire the major crafts required to be a blues singer. Dana avers, " Blues chooses its followers . I was one of the fortunate people who was chosen by this trade, and my relationship with all the great musicians helped me to learn and discover many things. Blues music touches the inner you with its emotional and spiritual rendition"

Though she is not so satisfied by the growth of blues music today, she is optimistic about its future prospects. " Surveys shows that pop has gone down, whereas blues has become popular again. This is due to the 'here today, gone tomorrow' trend. Blues music will never be out of fashion. I agree that the music scenario is not so bad but it should be better. 'Electronic thumping' is the in thing today, the real essence of music is lost. But I believe pop or rock cannot teach you the stage craft that is very important for any musician."

Over the years Dana has experienced hell and heaven, which she considers to be part of stardom. Now she is more matured and experienced. " Now I am in a very pleasant state of mind. No one directs my career path. Today I know exactly what I want. I am bossy at times, but that is very important to get work done. I must confess that I have some of the most efficient and dedicated musicians with me, who have helped me create a niche for myself", says Dana.

Dana has tried her hand in various fields : playing the drums, in sports (she was a skiing champion) in films and on radio, but her first passion remains blues music. This great singer is an ardent follower of Sathya Sai Baba from India. " When I get tired of my hectic life, I go to Sai Baba's ashram, go back to the saree, dal chawal, spiritual readings, and bhajans. It gives me the strength to make a new beginning in music. I felt honored, when after long years of association with Baba , I got the opportunity to sing on his 75th birthday."

She always looks forward for a new element which can make her music richer. " I have many more dreams to accomplish. I am waiting for the right time and right people to come into my life. I do hope to work with Indian musicians and together bring out the best of fusion", asserts Dana.