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

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.

Louie Bellson represents the epitome of musical talent. His ability to cover the whole musical spectrum from an elite percussionist to a very gifted composer and arranger never ceases to amaze me. I consider him one of the musical giants of our age.

It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo.

He's not a performer, he's not a composer, he's not even a musician, but Norman Granz is Mr. Jazz.

We're not like pop musicians who have to perform the same top ten tunes every night of a tour.