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 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.

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

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 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.

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

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