When I was in my early teens, I remember coming to the conclusion that your life never ends.

Jazz has borrowed from other genres of music and also has lent itself to other genres of music.

The spirit of jazz is the spirit of openness.

Don't be afraid to expand yourself, to step out of your comfort zone. That's where the joy and the adventure lie.

You would not exist if you did not have something to bring to the table of life.

Music is the tool to express life - and all that makes a difference.

Forget about trying to compete with someone else. Create your own pathway. Create your own new vision.

I think there's a great beauty to having problems. That's one of the ways we learn.

You can practice to attain knowledge, but you can't practice to attain wisdom.

Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.

The most valuable things in life are priceless. They are courage, compassion, wisdom, respect for ourselves and others, and a host of characteristics that we call the beauty of the human spirit.

My mother was the influence in my life. She was strong she had great faith in the ultimate triumph of justice and hard work. She believed passionately in education.

I must have been heavily schizophrenic all my life. The me who hears what the other me can't play is the dominant one.

I am a firm believer that you can have the body you want, only to the extent that you're willing to work for it.

I had always loved John Ford's pictures. And I came to love him, too, but I was frightened to death working for him. He used the shock treatment while directing me.

Many times I see you as a portrait of torture.

Ask not that the journey be easy; ask instead that it be worth it.

Always do what's right. That will gratify some and surprise the rest.

I can tell it all in song: pathos, gladness, love, joy, unhappiness.

To make real change, you have to be well anchored - not only in the belief that it can be done, but also in some pretty real ways about who you are and what you can do.

There will be rough nights but joy really does come in the morning.