When Ronald Reagan was elected I was on a bus traveling with a band in France. I wrote a little arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner in a minor key.

One performer whose band played my music better than I could myself was Art Farmer. He recorded 'Sing Me Softly of the Blues' and 'Ad Infinitum'.

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

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 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.

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.