It's like a whole orchestra, the piano for me. And also it's to me the greatest instrument. I shouldn't say that, but I believe that this is the only instrument I can really feel happy about playing.

Concord, California was a great place to grow up.

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.

My mother Elizabeth Ivey Brubeck was a pianist who studied with Dame Myra Hess and Tobias Matthey. As a child in California I used to listen to her play Chopin.

I had the first integrated Army band in World War II.

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.

The worst thing about the life of a jazz musician on the road is getting to the gig. Once you're there and playing, it's marvelous.