With beauty like Heidi Klum’s and a soul like Ray Charles’, it’s no surprise that Canadian songstress Sophie Milman has hit the jazz scene with the force of a hurricane. JazzTimes has already dubbed the 26-year-old “Canada’s hottest young jazz singer,” while NPR Weekend Edition has touted her "classic jazz voice that evokes smoky lounges, softly clinking glasses and the cool of the night." Hear for yourself with her third and most recent album, “Take Love Easy,” which features a collection of songs that focus on love—both on its positive glory and heart-wrenching pain. But first, hear what she has to say about the art of gift-giving. Spoiler: flowers are good, test tubes are not.

Sophie Milman

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Filed under: Alcohol, Art, Belts, Books, Décor, Experiences, Flowers, Leather, Travel, Vacations, Vases, Music

The Interview

What's the best gift you've ever received?
A trip to Italy from my wonderful then-boyfriend (now fiancé) for my 25th birthday.

Sophie met her husband-to-be Casey Chisick through a “modern-day Jewish yenta in the form of a jazz piano player.” It beats J-Date.

Worst gift?
A set of little flower vases shaped like test tubes...no joke

Yet it would be a great gift for a scientist with a green thumb!

Have you ever re-gifted something? If so, what was it?
Not sure I want to be admitting to this on the record, but…it was the aforementioned set of little vases shaped like test tubes.

Maybe she knows a scientist with a green thumb?

What are the top three things on your wish list?
A gift certificate to a spa: my tense body can always use a massage. A Leatherock belt: they have absolutely gorgeous belts that combine leather, metal and stones beautifully. Art book: I've got a soft spot for Spanish and Dutch masters, and impressionists.

Who was the last person you sent a gift to?
I sent a housewarming/birthday gift for my friend Elana. It was a decorative bowl by Alessi.

Alessi is an Italian Design Factory that has been creating innovative yet aesthetically pleasing products since 1935.

Do you have a go-to hostess gift that you bring to dinner parties?
Beautiful flowers and a nice bottle of wine.

Hopefully, the flowers were presented in a vase that wasn’t found in a science lab.

Is there a city in particular where you find good gifts?
A) Tokyo is a wonderful city for gifts. There are beautiful little sake shops all throughout town where one can find absolutely exquisite bottles -- they're like works of art.

Sophie would know! She’s traveled all over the world and has lived in Russia, Israel and Canada.

Do you ever give music as a present? Have you ever given your own album to someone?
Music makes the best present. I almost never gift my own music; I like to share the work of my favorite artists with friends. iTunes makes gifting music really easy!

Sophie’s favorite artists include Mahalia Jackson, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Nat "King" Cole and Stevie Wonder.

Be honest. Would you rather give or receive?
Why choose?

Good point.

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