I play in a jazz sextet. So I don't have time to do a lot of conventions. The good thing is, when I do them, it does puts me back in touch with the people who go to movies. I do these shows just to stay in touch with them.

When I go to the movies, I like romance, comedy, and thrillers. I hate gore.

The best reason to go to the movies is to be with other people. Eating the popcorn, being with other people you don't know.

I'm finishing my Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance history.

I went to North Texas State, one of the great jazz schools. When I realized I wasn't going to be Miles Davis, I switched my major to English and theater.

Miles Davis, my one and only real hero of my life. I met him [because] every time I had a movie interview, I would shift the conversation to jazz. Miles, when I finally met him, he knew he had a sucker walking in the door. Because his people told him, “This guy plays the trumpet and every freakin’ interview he has ever given, he’s talked about you.”

I steer away from episodic TV; it burns you out.