I have absolutely no idea what my generation did to enrich our democracy. We dropped the ball. We entered a period of complacency and closed our eyes to the public corruption of our democracy.

Having heard Clifford Brown play all those fast runs, I used to really practice Clarke trumpet exercises all day long so that I could play fast. That's all I wanted to do. I was like a child with a toy.

One thing about excellence, it&Mac226;s an exclusive club. And it&Mac226;s only for those who really want to pay dues to the s--. My daddy told me when I was a boy: The only way you can be different from other people is to do some s-- they don't want to do.

The rebuilding of New Orleans is an important point in the history of the United States.

The only justification for looking down on anyone is that you're going to stop and pick them up.

Trumpet players are just belligerant, and cocky, and you know, just hard-headed.

And that's the soulful thing about playing: you offer something to somebody. You don't know if they'll like it, but you offer it.