Always keep reaching.
Improvising musicians are musical travelers, voyagers. There is a freedom to wander the musical landscape.
Inspiration comes from tunes you play, other musicians and your own imagination.
I like what I hear other guys doing, but the thing that really attracts me is melodic playing.
The greatest thing about music is putting it out there for people to figure out.
Music should always be an adventure.
Musicians have a really big part to play in spreading messages because they’re able to reach a large portion of people on an emotional level. Artists reach people at their heart; it’s the only time we meet in one place and put our differences aside. When you’re in a forum listening to music, all you feel in that moment is love and the understanding.
I learn something new every day.
I want a kick to my band, but I don’t want the rhythm to hog the spotlight.
Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That’s why I wanted the clarinet.
Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking.
They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.
I still do what I love, and I dont really think about it. I try to make a beautiful show, so people go home happy. Thats my biggest aspiration: to make people happy.
I feel I have only scratched the surface of what I know I am capable of doing.
Jazz speaks for life. This is triumphant music.
I had a really good time in New Orleans, although I had some very tragic times in Baton Rouge. Some guys beat me up and threw my horn away. ‘Cause I had a beard, then, and long hair like the Beatles.
The people who know nothing about music are the ones always talking about it.
I still love the whole history of Jazz. The old things sound better than ever.
