I have wit in my work and a sense of humor, but I do not use irony in any way

I have not practiced saxophone since 1980. I mean, not one note. I do not pick it up in my house, and that's the end of it.

Great musicians accept everything that they hear and find something good. They take what they like and they throw away what they don't like

I have no doubts. I know what gets in the way and I know what encourages me to do more work.

I mean I have had a very combative relationship with critics because I'm very impatient with people that don't give my work the respect I feel it deserves.

You need to believe in something that's bigger than yourself. I think that's what everybody wants to believe in that.

I have art. I have music. I have the history, this legacy behind me that I can look up to. This is what I believe in. If you want to call it God or spirituality, that's all up to you. Basically I believe in something that's bigger than myself, and that gives my life meaning.