I feel that L.A. has not always been my strongest base for support. That can be for various reasons.

My mother came from St. Thomas. I heard that melody and all I did was actually adapt it. I made my adaptation of sort of an island traditional melody. It did become sort of my trademark tune.

America is deeply rooted in Negro culture: its colloquialisms; its humor; its music.

I feel that Jazz improvisation is the ultimate. You have to create on the spot, the essence of this music.

Jazz is the type of music that can absorb so many things and still be jazz.

I have seen great jazz musicians die obscure and drinking themselves to death and not really being able to get any work and working in small, funky jazz clubs.

Even the most jingoistic person would have to admit that even American cultural music comes from Europe. That's what classical music is, real European music.