Many of our greatest musicians abandoned all of their aesthetic objectives to try to become pertinent. And, at the end of the day, they never became pop stars. I counter stated that very strongly, and I continue to do that.

The real power of Jazz is that a group of people can come together and create improvised art and negotiate their agendas... and that negotiation is the art

This music heals people because music is vibration, and the proper vibration heals.

When did we begin to lose faith in our ability to effect change?

When I say "our," I definitely mean all of America. It's not less pertinent for you because it comes from a Black person, just like a great achievement by an Anglo American is less important.

I believe in professionalism, but playing is not like a job. You have to be grateful to have the opportunity to play.

The young very seldom lead anything in our country today. It's been quite some time since a younger generation pushed an older one to a higher standard.