Labels don't mean anything to me. I'm trying to play as passionately as I'm able to. If they want to call that cool, that's fine. Just spell the name right, is the formula.

In some ways Lester Young is the most complex rhythmically of any musician. He does some things which are just phenomenal.

I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The clarinet was what we call a double.

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I wanted the clarinet.

I love Indian music very much, but I haven't studied that specifically.

I could stop and say, Well that was a D minor, G seven, but I really don't want to know that. I just want to know that there's a combination of notes that makes a sound.

Most jazz players work out their solos, at least to the extent that they have a very specific vocabulary.

As long as there are people trying to play music in a sincere way, there will be Jazz.

After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a simple melody and have it clean and touch the reed at the proper time in the proper way.

A first love always occupies a special place.

I'd like to feel that whatever I play is a result of whatever I've heard.

A knowledgeable curious mind is the bridging ground for ideas.

The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God's call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.

Los Angeles is one of those places where somebodies become nobodies and nobodies become somebody.

I was never that much a focus of interest in my career. I'm aware of that now, which doesn't give me a lot of pleasure.

The U.S. is excellent at importing cheap products from the rest of the world. Let's try importing some human capital instead.

I’m glad to be part of the war on sadness. I’m a part time employee of the illusion that keeps people stupid.

A wise man once said, 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.'

Self-forgiveness is essential to self-healing.

That nation is proudest and noblest and most exalted which has the greatest number of really great men.

I see so many guys, really athletic guys, wearing pleats and I just shake my head. Like, Tiger Woods used to wear pleated pants! I'm like, 'C'mon, Tiger!'