The goal is not to be better than anyone else but rather be better than you were yesterday.

[Manhattan School Of Music] were kind of just getting the jazz program up and going when I first started there. I was 17 in September of 1984 when I started there.

I think we had a Ben Webster/Gerry Mulligan record... that might have been it. We only had a few records in the house.

You do [jazz] because you love it and hope many some others may as well. You do this because you need it.

I never got to play with Art [ Blakey], but he was kind and spoke to me a number of times. He said, "You know, the people who are working 40 hours a week. Those are the ones who are really paying dues. Sitting at a desk doing the same thing every day. We're really blessed to do what we do."

Anyone who attempts to build great things will face challenges.

It's not easy to deal with the negativity in the world but it's something that's got to be done. Your success and life are so important that you must surround yourself with a positive support team.