You have to be around people you trust; otherwise you can't do anything - you're afraid, you're paranoid, and you can't do any work.

These musicians, such as these Cubans in Havana, are a part of a scene that did produce great music and great musicians. They came from this tradition, so it's a good place to look. It's like prospecting: You gotta know where to look.

Beautiful tunes are all very good and fine, and great musicians are always great, but that alone isn't enough.

Some things I like to do better than other things, but I've got to say that in the end, the thing that makes it the most interesting for me is who you're with, you know? It's people that make the difference in just about any field, right?

The environment is rarely put on tape, or if it is, it's so abstract that most people never realize it. They just don't know what it means. But if you can show it to them, then that's what becomes the main instrument.

Bad music can make you weak.

Musicians are not so concerned with language.