If you're trying to invent something new, you're going to reach a lot of discouraging points, and most people give up.

If you listen to Louis Armstrong from 1929, you will never hear anything better than that really, and you will never hear anything more free than that.

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.

I started in New Orleans music and played all through the history of jazz.

I wanted to be a pianist but it just wasn't my thing. I guess I wanted to stand up rather than sit down.

When I came up, it was all about originality and collective research. There is an awful lot of imitation going on now.