The arts speak across epochs. If you think that people started to build a cathedral in 1315 and the people worked on that cathedral, it wasn't going to be finished until 1585. So they were thinking 200 years from now. Maybe by the time I die, this wall might be put up.

Nothing else will ever capture the democratic process in sound as perfectly as Jazz.

Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead a nation to change.

If you're not making mistakes, you're not trying.

The first time I ever played the trumpet in public, I played the Marine Hymn. I sounded terrible.

The reason why the music [jazz] is important is because it's an art form-an ancient art form-that takes in the mythology of our people.

People have taken time out of their day and spent their money to come sit down at a concert. And it's jazz music-it's not easy for them to get to it. I don't want them ever to feel that I'm taking their presence lightly.