I allowed artists to play for as long as they felt they could justifiably continue to create.

Sponsors and networks will really go all out and simply evaluate people on the basis of talent.

The economic picture in the States today doesn't allow for jazz concerts in a tour fashion. People now are too used to the Festival, which gives them more names for the same price.

I don't think I will ever do any tours again in the United States. I rather think that that's over with.

I don't want to sound as if I'm doing something tremendously special. But I am a jazz fan.

Jazz is America's own. It is played and listened to by all peoples - in harmony together. Pigmentation differences have no place... as in genuine democracy, only performance counts.

The public, hearing pop music, is, without knowing it, also soaking up jazz.