Clare Fischer was a major influence on my harmonic concept. He and Bill Evans, and Ravel and Gil Evans, finally. You know, that's where it really came from. Almost all of the harmony that I play can be traced to one of those four people and whoever their influences were.

I try stuff. I synthesize what's of value with some of the other things I have at my disposal.

You don't need the fame to be vital.

I think risk-taking is a great adventure. And life should be full of adventures.

So in other words, we were constantly challenged to grow, and thats what a master does.

One of the greatest experiences I ever had was listening to a conversation with Joni Mitchell and Wayne Shorter. Just to hear them talking, my mouth was open. They understand each other perfectly, and they make these leaps and jumps because they don't have to explain anything.

Music is the tool to express life - and all that makes a difference.