The value of jazz still has to be clarified. People involve themselves with its superficialities without digging for its soul.

I've done some dastardly things but what can I do except make amends and apologize?

People think that I play effortlessly. I remember doing a record date with Bill Evans and afterwards he said to me, you make it sound so easy but when I get right up next to you you're working hard and making it sound easy!

You know, when I'm playing, I think of myself in front of the Wailing Wall with a saxophone in my hands, and I'm davening, I'm really telling it to the Wall.

If you like an instrument that sings, play the saxophone. At its best it's like the human voice.

You don't rehearse jazz to death to get the camera angles.

The saxophone is an imperfect instrument, especially the tenor and soprano, as far as intonation goes. The challenge is to sing on an imperfect instrument that is outside of your body.