I just liked the feeling of being on stage. My parents weren't pushing me, they didn't have to, I was obsessed.

I do the things I like to do. It's sort of a bigger version of having more than one hobby.

You basically have to play everything (in New Orleans), because you're getting calls to play gigs of all different styles, from classical to R&B to funk; modern jazz to traditional jazz.

New Orleans is my essence, my soul, my muse...

I have a big ego, and I'm a confident person, but when it comes down to being a jerk, that doesn't work for me, I tried it... for about ten years.

Live theater is just an incredibly powerful medium, and I think anyone who goes, whether they know about it or not, if they see something that sort of fits with them, it's kind of hard to deny that they had a good time.

Let's kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy.