To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt, and that's not what I play. I play black classical music.

You have to learn to get up from the table when love is not being served.

I can read and arrange, but I can't write.

As I got older though I wanted a life of my own. The classical training was very demanding and thorough. It was a very sheltered existence. Even though I heard blues and gospel on the radio sometimes, it was always back to the piano and study and give recitals.

Greed has driven the world crazy. And I think I'm lucky that I have a place over here that I can call home.

I'm sorry that I did not become the world's first black classic pianist. I think I would have been happier.

I believe the time will come when the whole definition of pop music will change. It will get to the point where a song will not be a good song until it has a high level of creativity in writing and performance. In other words, in order to be popular, songs will have to meet these high standards.