Jazz has an audience all around the globe and has had for many decades, I think speaking of the United States, let's say that what we need is more of an official recognition.

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

Many jazz artists go to L.A. seeking a more comfortable life and then they really stop playing.

I think the problem starts with the general appreciation of the music in the larger society.

I want to be connecting with the subconscious, if I can call it that, because there are not to many words to describe the real deep inner part of a human beingI want to be at that place where everything is blotted out and where creativity happens, and to get there I practice, you know I'm a prolific practicer, I still practice every dayYou have to have the skills, then you want to not think when you're playing, that's when you let whatever deep level of creativity, spirituality, I mean, you know these words are so inadequate these days but you want to get to this place where they exist.

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

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