I don't like freedom jazz - I think it's void of roots and void of foundation.

When people ask me how is it I was a musician, I facetiously say that I'm a firm believer in reincarnation and in a previous life I was Johann Sebastian Bach's guide dog.

I always tell people, it took me 10 minutes and 35 years in the business. I get tired of playing it ["Lullaby of Birdland"], but not of collecting the royalties.

I don't like freedom jazz - I think it's void of roots and void of foundation.

Can anybody be given creativity? No. Only equipment to develop it if it's in them in the first place.

If you establish an identity, you build a monster-and thats right, youve got to live with it. Of course, you can enjoy it, too.

The way it works: The orchestra plays a few selections of its own and I terminate the first part of the programme on piano, usually with a movement from a Mozart concerto.