I’m beginning to understand myself. But it would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82.

One of the reasons I believe in jazz is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear when you’re born — or before you’re born — and it’s the last thing you hear.

I prefer no one to teach me. I prefer to swing on my own.

After the Second World War, I returned to California to study composition with Darius Milhaud, who wrote wonderful works like 'Le Boeuf sur le Toit' and 'La Cretion du Monde.' I especially enjoy his work for two pianos, 'Scaramouche.

I knew even if I'm a cowboy, I'm going to be involved in jazz in some way.

When I was 20, Shostakovich was my favorite composer. I still find his Fifth Symphony wonderful, with its outstanding themes and rhythms. That's the piece that made me want to be a classical composer.

What I want to happen is to be really creative, and to play something new in the improvisations, every time.