If I'm within reach and can be helpful, I have a tendency to say 'Yes.' It's hard to say 'No.

My whole thing is not just to play music for people, but to make them part of the evening.

From the time I could play the piano, I remember trying to write tunes. They were in my head, and I would just sit down and start noodling. Next thing I knew, I had written a melody.

I'm not one of those people who says, 'I never read reviews,' because I don't believe those people.

I think that when NASA works on a moon shot, they know too well that all of the people working on it must do their job at 110 percent. Sometimes they probably put in 18 hour days, but they're aiming for the moon, and that's what counts

As I get older, I'm slowing down and, yes, calming down in my desire to be taken seriously. That I can be entertaining and funny and high nervous energy can work against me as a serious composer, slowly but surely you'll see me be quieter just so that people will listen.

I still have great faith in what is good and right in all of us.