Not with the Rochester Philharmonic, but I formed my own orchestra, made up of musicians from the Eastman School, where I'm on the faculty now, direct the Jazz Ensemble and teach improvisation classes.

Music is meant to be a beautiful thing.

In 1994, I started touring again and I recorded two albums for Chesky Jazz.

Whether it's string writing or whatever, I try to write for what each instrumentalist can do best.

My goal was never to sell many records.

I tend to not want to put labels or categories on the music, only because people come with preconceived ideas about what they're going to hear, or won't come for this reason.

I write music people enjoy playing and listening to, and I have a group that loves playing the music.