My ego is controlled enough that I don't have to be the focus.

Being stubborn has helped, being selfish is not a bad thing.

I recently formed a foundation to raise awareness for prostate cancer. I feel it's very necessary that men be more aware about prostate cancer and their health in general.

My father's father came from Russia; my mother came from Romania.

You don't have to live the blues to play the blues.

Being selfish to me means that you have to look out for yourself and you don't have to sacrifice.

I had sat in one day in Central Park with Bonnie and Delaney, and Duane was playing with them, so I asked if he wanted to work on an album. You never had to say to him how to play the guitar.

When you get cancer, it's like really time to look at what your life was and is, and I decided that everything I've done so far is not as important as what I'm going to do now.

My youngest son, who is now the drummer in my band, lives in Brooklyn. My oldest son is about to move out to California, and my daughters are both out of town.

For me Brazilian music is the perfect mix of melody and rhythm. It just bubbles rhythmically. If I had to pick just one music style to play if would be Brazilian.

If you're in jazz and more than ten people like you, you're labeled commercial.

Money does not determine our worth

You have to chase your dreams with all your heart.

When we think we lead we most are led.

I am confident that the next century will be better than this one.

There's a very healthy tradition in America of skepticism of centralized power. If we ever lose the skepticism of centralized power, we'll lose the essence of the country.

If you're trying to make someone happy, you gotta try and make them happy.

My theory is because I'm Asian and white I sort of look like the future. I'm the melting pot.

Most important was to remain focused and always have presence of mind.

The whole world is a cyclone. But once you have found the center, the cyclone disappears. This nothingness is the ultimate peak of consciousness.

I don't try to stop myself from becoming too personal. I just put it all out there. If anything, I try to remind myself to be as honest as possible all the time. Why hold back?