It's not about standing still and becoming safe. If anybody wants to keep creating they have to be about change.

Jazz is an Uncle Tom word. They should stop using that word for selling. I told George Wein the other day that he should stop using it.

You have to be born with it. You can't even buy it. If you could buy it, they'd have it at the next Newport Festival.

Lionel [Richie] said, "Yeah, I learned chords and stuff playin' against your albums."

My ego only needs a good rhythm section

I've always told the musicians in my band to play what they know and then play above that. Because then anything can happen, and that's where great art and music happens.

I can hear what I want [people] to play. If you don't hear what you want someone to play, then you can't tell 'em.