Particularly, in my situation, I needed a way out of where I was. So music was that.

I got to perform the [Jaques] Ibert Concertino Da Camera with a brilliant pianist at school named Chunga. I got to perform the [Alexander] Glazunov Concerto in senior year with our school orchestra and the Jewish Grossman orchestra. I won a scholarship from the Goldman band to perform the [Paul] Creston Concerto. Which I never played with them, but they still gave me the money.

Negative thoughts are the nails that build a prison of failure.

I have to say, music was always my self preservation survival technique. This sort of sacred space in my life and in my mind.

A true leader doesn't lead to gain power. They lead to empower and give power away.

I think that's important to remember - That we're blessed to even be able to attempt to do this [music].

I did, I was in Europe a lot. I would say, mid 20s to late 30s. Less so in the last ten or twelve years. Based on some political stuff and other things, I think I'm not the only musician, the only American jazz musician that's not going to Europe quite as much. I think we're seen a little differently in the world, unfortunately, than we were pre-Iraq invasion and things like that.