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.

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

Art is a luxury. It's not necessary for you to - you can work your job and you can make some money and never know who Walt Whitman was, and never read a poem.

I have friends who will critique me much harder than any review.

What I really have in my head, my imagination, my understanding of music, I never really get that out.

This rebuilding of New Orleans gives us the perfect opportunity to see if we're ready to extend the legacy of Dr. King.

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.