The arts can open the door to the imagination, pushing the envelope of how peace can be created. It takes courage to take this kind of risk, and courage is what we all need to create a better world.

Jazz shouldn't have any mandates. Jazz is not supposed to be something that's required to sound like jazz. For me, the word 'jazz' means, 'I dare you.'

If all you have is music, then you don't have music

Music is interior decoration.

Go out on the stage as a human being and do not be afraid to show struggle in your music. It's a struggle in life and then struggle and then victory.

I always think of music as interior decoration. So, if you have all kinds of music, you are fully decorated!

No one really knows how to deal with the unexpected. How do you rehearse the unknown?

Composing is improvisation slowed down.

You're like the girl who left her shadow in the drawer, but when she went to get it, it wasn't there.

Your humanity is your instrument.

To hell with the rules. I'm going for the unknown.

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.

Anyone can have a good day, but you have to be able to perform on a bad day.

I know that John Adams has had a very hard time directing French ensembles.

I am a perfectionist.

The separate parts make no carriage.

Among animals, one has a sense of humor. Humor saves a few steps, it saves years.

I love doing action; I love doing martial arts. There's almost something balletic about it.

The thing that drives me most crazy in the world is not to be believed.

The Olympic Games are for the world and all nations must be admitted to them.

Ex Malo Bounum (good out of evil).