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.

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.

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.

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.

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.