First you imitate, then you innovate.

I usually write from the rhythm section...If a drummer got a funky beat on some things - like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or a backbeat that's even - I can write something.

It's like, how did Columbus discover America when the Indians were already here? What kind of s-- is that, but white people's s--?

People will go for anything they don't understand if it's got enough hype.

If you got up on the bandstand at Minton's and couldn't play, you were not only going to be embarrassed by the people ignoring you or booing you, you might get your ass kicked.

I keep telling Ron Lorman and them in the control room, "It's my band! The reason I have a band is because I can't stand for somebody to tell me what to do."

To keep creating you have to be about change.