We've all got to earn a living. And writing songs is what I do. But when I've done a record, it's not that I think it's better or worse than anyone else's, but if I think that nobody else would have done it if I hadn't, well then that's ok.

I only choose musicians who I think will emerge, can emerge, with their own character, while still going along with the tune in question.

What hurts people a lot is taking humiliation.

I can't imagine my life without the extraordinary bebop jazz revolution in New York in late '40s and '50s.

There are people I would like to work with. Its a bit harder, because I live out in the sticks anyway, and plus being in a wheelchair means that I cant really circulate. So I tend to stick to my own thing.

I know people who grow old and bitter. I want to keep making a fresh start. I don't want them to defeat me. That would be suicidal.

I consider myself a sit-down comedian really, as much as anything else. I love comedy. Life is a cosmic joke.