It would be really hard to get serious about anything political today unless it was a joke.

I dont enjoy traveling in America. I dont like the food, the cars. It is not exotic enough. It all tastes a bit like airline food.

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

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.

What's interesting about a person without problems?

I still prefer the bebop of the '40s. The very stuff I started out with is still the best to me. I have come full circle.

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.