I've made more than 50 records with a wide range of music. I've often veered to check something out.

I've made more than 50 records with a wide range of music. I've often veered to check something out.

I know of musicians who have played together for decades who hate each other. The Modern Jazz Quartet for one.

Improvising musicians are musical travelers, voyagers. There is a freedom to wander the musical landscape.

There are a few things that I will hopefully be credited for as a pioneer. One is my four-mallet playing. Another one is the starting what was first called jazz rock in 1967 when I started my first band, later became jazz fusion by the 1970s.

I was surprised when I finally moved to Boston and the East Coast, to discover that there weren't that many vibraphone players around. And I was the only one playing with four mallets.

It keeps me in touch with younger musicians who are constantly saying, 'Have you heard this new artist, or this new guitar player?' It keeps you reaching.