The role of the designer is basically that of a good host, anticipating the needs of the guest.

There are many spokes on the wheel of life. First, we're here to explore new possibilities.

I really feel that if you're gonna be good, you gotta practice... Practice whatever the hell you do.

Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me.

I don't think any of us really knows why we're here. But I think we're supposed to believe we're here for a purpose.

When I started to sing like myself - as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while - when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.

I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't been able to hear.