Madeleine Peyroux was born in Georgia but grew up in Paris and New York. She started out as a busker, doing the festival circuit until she gained recognition in 1996 with her first album, Dreamland, securing her spot as opening act for Sarah McLachlan. Peyroux is a big fan of folk, country, and jazz from the 1930s, and in that retro frame of mind, she recorded her second album in 2004 with her own renditions of Leonard Cohen and Hank Williams tunes. Her tone is crystal clear and she has often been compared to Billie Holiday. After many memorable Festival appearances, Peyroux came back in 2009 to present work from the album Bare Bones. Standing on the Rooftop came out in 2011, followed by The Blue Room two years later.