I like chords that are very lush with all the lush parts taken out.

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

When you have 13 horns, and one is soloing, you have 12 people to play the richest, fullest chord you could ever imagine behind that solo.

I like chords that are very lush with all the lush parts taken out.

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.

Living composers writing for big band are very few and far between. There are not a lot of them, and I have a talent for doing it. I am zeroing in on what I do best.

I don't need much coaxing.