Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker seemed so sophisticated and bad. I wanted to be like that.

I just got to hear every note. After I left Birdland, I started working at the Jazz Gallery. In the end, I still couldn't play, but I knew how to listen. I was probably the world's best listener.

What's interesting about a person without problems?

Listening is more important than anything else because that's what music is. Somebody is playing something and you're receiving it. It is sending and receiving.

There are times when what's happening in rock is the best music in the world, and there are times when there is nothing worthwhile at all.

I don't think you can ever regain your ignorance.

I got started when I was 3 years old because my father was a music teacher and my lessons were free. Instead of learning to walk, you learn to play the piano.