I'm a musician and, just as the critics are hard on me, I'm hard on the critics.

The music field was the first to break down racial barriers, because in order to play together, you have to love the people you are playing with, and if you have any racial inhibitions, you wouldn't be able to do that.

Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing. I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea. I have no one style. I play as I feel.

It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo. You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That's jazz.

I don't require lust, sex, or classic beauty; I require trust, respect, and honesty. All else builds from there.

I am the worlds laziest writer.

I don't do something because I think it will sell 30 million albums. I couldn't care less. If it sells one, it sells one.