BOSTON -- She's been told she has the vocal style of artists like Norah Jones, Sade and even jazz legend Sarah Vaughn.

Her name is Niia Bertino, and she's from Needham.NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner discovered some big names are already taking note.

Singing one of her newest songs, Bertino is recording a song she wrote for her first demo CD.

Bertino, 22, has already performed on a hit song with one of today's hottest artists, Wyclef Jean.

He discovered Bertino nearly four years ago at a recording studio in New York City.

“I felt like she had that perfect voice for the new generation,” said Jean.

Bertino said he asked her if she would sing a little piece on his new song. The song, "Sweetest Girl," also better known as the "Dollar Bill" song, became a huge hit and took Bertino on a wild ride around the world.

It even earned her a gig on the "Late Show with David Letterman."

Bertino was a classically trained pianist before embarking on her jazz journey -- on the keys and with her voice. She said she has long admired the stylings of Ella Fitzgerald and Vaughn. She suggested that she feels she was almost born in the wrong era.

“I wish I could live in the era with all the big jazz bands. Today’s singers are using all the technology, which is great, but I feel like so much of the rawness and authenticity of music is kind of getting lost because everything sounds so perfect," she said.

Bertino is no longer performing back-up for Wyclef, but with that under her belt, she’s setting out on her own.

"This is the first time I’ve actually written songs, recorded them and gotten them produced, and now I’ve made something, and that’s pretty exciting," she said.

Bertino's dream is to one day write a musical.