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

I had a 10-year heroin habit and kicked that. Then I became an alcoholic. I drank two fifth's a day.

A good quartet is like a good conversation among friends interacting to each other's ideas.

I never have any trouble playing anything I can think of. The trouble is in thinking of what to play.

I learn something new every day.

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!

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.