Arts is like the power of now. When you're performing, when you're playing, when you're sculpting, painting, it's that moment. I'm in the moment of my life, and that's what I love to do.

I think President Obama really does get the value of the arts.

I'm an old-timer in the business from the sense that when you do something that you feel good about there might be another person out there who feels the same way, or a hundred or a couple million.

There's something interesting about playing live; you're in the moment, and I think it would be beneficial.

I think we as human beings need to be able to appreciate each other's differences and I think jazz really takes us in that direction.

I confess that I listen to my own music for my own pleasure.

Clifford Brown was in the jazz circles considered to be probably the greatest trumpet player who ever lived.