There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people go out and learn a particular language or style and become real sharks on somebody else's language.

If you have music you want to play that no one asks you to play, you have to go out and find where you can play it. It's called do or die.

Bamboo is not a weed, it's a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant.

I wanted to be a pianist but it just wasn't my thing. I guess I wanted to stand up rather than sit down.

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

I've been working on the soprano saxophone for 40 years, and the possibilities are astounding. It's up to you, the only limit is the imagination.

I started in New Orleans music and played all through the history of jazz.