I've never been one that thinks that the function of an instrument is to approach the purity of voice or the structure of a beautifully sung line.

I didn't get where I am today by being timid, young man.

Improvisation is a compositional method.

There are many of these apparent philosophical paradoxes or contradictions which don't concern me anymore.

The argument we always used to use was that keeping records in the catalog was good for people that were coming new to the music, but I think that was talking over a ten year or fifteen year time span.

I think the voice does that perfectly adequately without being imitated by other instruments.

You know, the whole philosophy of ad hoc combinations has its strengths and its weaknesses.