People who love jazz musicians love us when we play what we want to play and we're starving. But as soon as you commercialize your sound like Wes Montgomery did, the jazz fans and the critics are down on you!

I spent a lot of time teaching myself theory and harmony so I could be free to express myself on the instrument.

Never give up on a good thing, never give up, never give up!

The first time I tried to sing along with my guitar, everybody in the studio booed. They all said it wouldn't work.

As my career has progressed, I've had the pleasure of playing with the baddest jazz cats on the planet. But that doesn't change my desire to entertain folks. That's really who I am.

I've had the pleasure of playing with the baddest Jazz cats on the planet.

Larry Carlton is an incredibly versatile guitarist who has been a major force for guitar for many years. He is easily recognizable - all you have to do is hear him once and from that point on you'll be a fan, just like me. It gives me great pleasure to extend congratulations to Larry on his 2011 George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations !