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.

Music represents nature. Nature represents life. Jazz represents nature. Jazz is life.

I think as long as people are around and can hear a record and hear people like Lester Young on a recording, there will always be a great inspiration for somebody to try to create jazz.

Jazz is the type of music that can absorb so many things and still be jazz.

No one is original. Everyone is derivative.

I think music should be judged on what it is. It should be very high and above everything else. It is a beautiful way of bringing people together, a little bit of an oasis in this messed-up world.

Jazz never ends... it just continues.

I feel that Jazz improvisation is the ultimate. You have to create on the spot, the essence of this music.

I miss playing with Miles. I did play with him a little while before he left the planet, but even at that time I longed to maybe do some things together.

It's all about creation and surprise. It just needs to be appreciated and watered like flowers. You have to water flowers. These peaks will come again.

I'll know when I find the ultimate sound.

You must thrive to flood the nose and mouth of those who hate you and can't wait to see you fail.

Every damn breath hurt like hell, but I kept Breathing too. I told myself it would be a privilege to breathe through pain like that for the rest of my life - just knowing each breath was a gift.

If you read something, what you have written you ain't gonna like it...- It sounds horrible... so write don't read your own stuff.

I can't grow a mustache. It's pretty sad if I attempt to.

I do not think about being beautiful. What I devote most of my time to is being healthy

When you find yourself in a new situation, everything that requires healing is going to rush to the surface.

The first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.

What is genius or courage without a heart?

People getting their fundamental interests wrong is what American political life is all about.

I also try to weigh my motives. Am I doing what I'm doing because it's what God desires, or because I'm afraid people will be disappointed if I don't?