If you can't get yourself understood, you may have trouble, so you need some interpretation every now and again wherever you might be.

Musicians communicate in other ways. That's just something you rely on.

You have to be able to improvise and respond to what's going on around you. Then you might get a good piece of work done.

Everything you do is challenging, hopefully, because if it's not, it's boring.

Los Angeles is not Mexico City, but we have many fine nightclubs and restaurants here. It is enough. One must not aim too high.

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.

If you think you fit into a situation, it's worth trying.