Records used to be documents, but now record companies want product.

I learn something new every day - to edit, to take out all the extraneous matter and stress form, logic, and content. I try to play beautiful music.

There are four qualities essential to a great jazzman. they are taste, courage, individuality, and irreverence.

I'm a recovered alcoholic. I don't do anything anymore, but those things, those things take away ... You're a different personality completely when you take those. For those who are really chemically dependent on anything, it's not you.

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

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

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