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

We always hear about the rights of democracy, but the major responsibility of it is participation.

The history of jazz lets us know that this period in our history is not the only period we've come through together. If we truly understood the history of our national arts, we'd know that we have mutual aspirations, a shared history, in good times and bad.

This is our bandstand. If you don't want to play, get up off the instrument and leave.

Some stances are just conducive to swinging. If I stand up straight for too long it's harder to swing. Plus my feet hurt.

I almost never watch TV, except for '60 Minutes' and pro football. I love Drew Brees, the Manning brothers and the Steelers' linebackers.

Even in these times, there are still neighbors that will turn their backs on neighbors.