I try not to steal from myself, but the modalities create similarities.

White rhythm is waltzes, marches, and the polka. In Africa, rhythm is used for a celebratory groove, but white rhythm doesn't have such an enormous vocabulary of spirits. It's basically militant.

I heard someone from the music business saying they are no longer looking for talent, they want people with a certain look and a willingness to cooperate.

Rachmaninoff made a musician out of me. His 'Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini' was the piece that sent me into raptures. It spoke to me. To me, it was a tender entreaty for the misunderstood.

Not to dismiss Gershwin, but Gershwin is the chip; Ellington was the block.

Edith Piaf knocked my socks off when I was 8, but I didn't know what she was singing about.

I met a woman She had a mouth like yours She knew your life She knew your devils and your deeds And she said "Go to him, stay with him if you can But be prepared to bleed