Music represents nature. Nature represents life. Jazz represents nature. Jazz is life.
I'm not supposed to be playing, the music is supposed to be playing me. I'm just supposed to be standing there with the horn, moving my fingers. The music is supposed to be coming through me; that's when it's really happening.
Jazz is the type of music that can absorb so many things and still be jazz.
No one is original. Everyone is derivative.
Improvisation is the ability to create something very spiritual, something of one's own.
The thing is this: When I play, what I try to do is to reach my subconscious level. I don't want to overtly think about anything, because you can't think and play at the same time - believe me, I've tried it (laughs).
I feel that Jazz improvisation is the ultimate. You have to create on the spot, the essence of this music.
I simply want to reach a level where I will never cease to make progress...so that, even on the bad evenings, I may never be bad enough to despair.
I'm now a legend, whether I want to be or not.
One very important thing I learned from Monk was his complete dedication to music. That was his reason for being alive. Nothing else mattered except music, really.
I'm fortunate that I'm making a living at it now because I'm not equipped to do anything else.
Many jazz artists go to L.A. seeking a more comfortable life and then they really stop playing.
