Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" is still in print. They're debating right now over Mark Twain. He's still available. Winslow Homer can still be seen. Our arts are - they're there. We got to go get them and understand that this is an important legacy for our country.

The Duke and Swing represent affirmation in the face of adversity.

I wanted to make somebody feel like Coltrane made me feel, listening to it.

I think that virtuosity is the first sign of morality in a musician. It means you're serious enough to practice.

The heart of a music is its rhythm. The heart of rhythm section music is the rhythm.

Don't worry about what others say about your music. Pursue whatever you are hearing... but if everybody really hates your music maybe you could try some different approaches.

Music is always for the listener, but the first listener is always the musician