Not compromising the music, but there is a way, by just showing the people that you're sincere and honest with what you're doing, and by talking to them.

I can count on one hand the number of instrumental hits there have been over the last 10 years.

With four people you can create one very strong kind of energy, but if you can get 65 people working together, and swinging together, that's a whole other kind of energy.

I don't believe music can be free unless it has something to be free from.

A studio recording is perfection, but emotion and passion come only when you turn on the machine and go for the groove. If you do that with no mistakes, it sounds beautiful.

My music has always been strong in melodic content.

I was blessed to work with The Jazz Messengers when the two piano players were Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea.