If I told you all the people that have secretly told me I've influenced them, you'd never believe it, and you'll never see it in print, either.

Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical musicians.

Damn it, when I'm bombastic, I have my reasons. I want to be bombastic-take it or leave it.

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

When you hear Bach or Mozart, you hear perfection. Remember that Bach, Mozart and Beethoven were great improvisers. I can hear that in their music.

Concord, California was a great place to grow up.

Most of the international acceptance of jazz education can be traced to the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, and the wonderful program they inaugurated.