I progressed through so many different styles of music through my teen years, both as a player and a vocalist, particularly the jazz and pop of the early 20th Century.
I've been informed by both sides, jazz, western music, Asian music, African music, all sides, because I've been interested in the sound of the universe, and that sound is without limit.
Louis Armstrong is quite simply the most important person in American music. He is to 20th century music (I did not say jazz) what Einstein is to physics.
Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did, and I'd say, 'Well, it's kind of jazz, soul, classical' - but that makes no sense to anyone.
We didn't go for music that sounded like blues, or jazz, or rock, or Led Zeppelin, or Rolling Stones. We didn't want to be like any of the other bands.
Comedy is the ultimate truth. Jazz is hitting the notes that that no one else would hit, and comedy is saying words that no one else would say.
All the folks I play with come from jazz backgrounds or at least appreciate spontaneity within the parameters of a pop song.
I will love you like God, because of God, mighted by the power of God. I will stop expecting your love, demanding your love, trading for your love, gaming for your love. I will simply love. I am giving myself to you, and tomorrow I will do it again. ...
I'm just a musician and a record producer.
I have daughters who are writers and actors but no musicians.
I confess to being a frustrated musician.
When I want 30 musicians in the orchestra, I get 30.
I've been a musician longer than I've been an actor.
Being an American musician means being adventurous.
The point is, technology has empowered so many musicians, you know?
I started playing when I was 5. I'm from a family of musicians.
If it takes me 10 years to be the musician I want to be, great.
The intentions of record companies are not good, from the musician's perspective.
My only ambition is to grow as a musician.
The musicians one day are going to listen to me.
There's more to being a musician than just making music.
