I tend to gravitate to the darkest or most obscure part of any venue in an effort to have my own space to experience the music on my own, free from unwanted conversations and other distractions.

I beg young people to travel.

I see violence in myself; I've done some pretty violent things in my lifetime and I've been around some pretty severe violence all the way up to homicide.

I don't really think about the audience much. I think of myself. Let me dig myself out of that one.

Love beyond the damage.

But I have a good life. I enjoy what I do. I am married to work.

What does New York sound like? For me, the Charlie Parker at the Royal Roost recordings on the Savoy label are the total embodiment of the New York music experience.