As a child, Savannah native Kristina Train heard the bells of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist every day from her home on Lafayette Square.  Today, the opening chords of her song “Half Light” recall those same church bells she remembers so vividly from her youth.

This sultry-voiced 27-year-old crooner recently released her highly anticipated debut album, “Spilt Milk,” on Blue Note records and will make her way back to the Hostess City for the Savannah Music Festival in March.  When we caught up with her in the middle of her tour, she had just finished a show on the same bill as Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis and Dianne Reeves.

Kristina discovered her love of music at an early age.  Her mother was a schoolteacher who always stressed the importance of education and culture.  She began singing and playing the violin at the age of 4.  She also took ballet lessons and was immersed in classical music, opera, jazz and the blues.  She looks back fondly on that time.

“I just remember that singing and playing always brought joy and happiness to my life,” she said.

Finding Her Voice

Although Kristina drew interest from record labels as a teenager, her mother convinced her to enroll in college.  But the decision proved a poor fit for the budding songstress.

“I never went to class,” Kristina confessed.  “I joined the Park Bench Blues Band and continued to do the things that I loved.”

When she decided to focus on her music career full-time, record companies were waiting.  Kristina signed with Blue Note records and traveled back and forth to London for two years to work with Grammy-nominated songwriter Eg White.  The result is a mature, soulful and revealing record that proved to be extremely rewarding.

“You always wonder how personal you are going to get in a song,” she said.  “I’m really pleased with how I came across on this record.”

Listeners will detect a diverse selection of musical influences on “Spilt Milk.”  While Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk and Nat “King” Cole are among Kristina’s favorites, she also enjoys ’60s and ’70s rock ’n’ roll, which she discovered by going through her mother’s vinyl records.  Kristina used to climb to the roof of her home during Savannah’s notorious thunderstorms and scream at the top of her lungs in order to make her voice sound gravelly like Janis Joplin’s.

The Right Notes

The family record collection was not the only influential part of Kristina’s upbringing.  Savannah’s vibrant cultural mix was reflected in the music that enveloped her as a child.

“When I was young, you could hear everything from Otis Redding to the Allman Brothers at the store or the gas station,” she said.  “It just seemed like I was surrounded by great music growing up.”

What does the future hold for Kristina?  More touring — including a stop at the Charles H. Morris Center as part of the Savannah Music Festival.  She feels fortunate to have a career that allows her to follow her bliss.

“I love what I do,” she said. “Giving back the gift that was given me is incredibly rewarding.”

Listen Up!

Catch Kristina Train, along with the soulful sounds of Ruthie Foster, at the Savannah

Music Festival, March 20, 6:30 and 9 p.m.; and March 21, 7:30 p.m. at the Charles H. Morris Center.