I never consciously tried to conceive of what my sound should be...I never tried to imitate anybody, but when you love somebody's music, you're influenced...I really don't know how I developed my sound, but it comes from a combination of my musical conception and no doubt the basic shape of the oral cavity.

I learn something new every day.

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

I practiced saxophone eight hours a day for the first two years I played.

I appreciate men like Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins very much.

You can read all the textbooks and listen to all the records, but you have to play with musicians that are better than you.

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