But if I didn't have to make money, I would still play my horn.

I think what we need is a more welcoming mode from the people who put on a hundred million country-western shows on television. How about a monthly jazz show?

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

Improvisation is the ability to create something very spiritual, something of one's own.

Charlie Parker stuck out in my mind.

I think music should be judged on what it is. It should be very high and above everything else. It is a beautiful way of bringing people together, a little bit of an oasis in this messed-up world.

I miss playing with Miles. I did play with him a little while before he left the planet, but even at that time I longed to maybe do some things together.