Many critics always saw and heard that my style comes from Roy Eldridge, which is true. But for many things, not only how to play the trumpet but the way to choose the notes, how to play them and how to phrase all of them, I took that from Sweets [Edison]. He really brought something new to the trumpet.

The sign of a mature musician is knowing what not to play.

Bop is at the end of the road. Now everybody wants dance music.

I try to play the bare essence, to let everything be just what it's supposed to be.

I know all the Latin-American rhythms quite well, but I don't play them exactly like they do in their own country - I add my personal touch.

I used to do a lot of apologizing for what the State Department had done.

I don't care much about music. What I like is sounds.