I think I always have been someone who likes to push at the edges of things, looking for something different.

It hasn't been hard getting nominated, but winning it is another thing. The competition is tough.

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.

But if you listen to great piano players, both classical and jazz, theres a huge range of dynamics and colors and emotional expression thats possible with the instrument.

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

I was a big fan of Jim Hall as well. I liked his comping style, his accompanying. And that he played, generally, four note chords, the top four strings of the guitar.