We need to put into practice the idea of embracing other cultures. We need to be shaping the kind of world we want to live in instead of waiting for someone else or some other entities to do it for us.

There are a lot of records coming out, in every field of music, not just jazz.

Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.

The cool thing is that jazz is really a wonderful example of the great characteristics of Buddhism and great characteristics of the human spirit. Because in jazz we share, we listen to each other, we respect each other, we are creating in the moment. At our best, we're non-judgmental.

A jazz musician is not a jazz musician when he or she is eating dinner or when he or she is with his parents or spouse or neighbors. He's above all a human being . . . the true artform is being a human being.

I don't look at music from the standpoint of being a musician; I look at it from the standpoint of being a human being.

Wisdom corresponds to the future; it is philosophy.