The bandstand is an incredible space. It is really a sacred space. One of the things that is really sacred about it is that you have no opportunity to think about the future, or the past.

I love Amsterdam. The city is vibrant and alive. It's fresh and so open. It's definitely one of my favorite places.

Every ‘mistake’ is an opportunity in jazz.

I don't really see huge barriers between any styles of music. My definition of music is "organizing sound and silence into emotion," and that's a very broad definition.

It's about being here in the moment, accepting one another and allowing creativity to flow.

Being at home with my family always inspires me. I find it hard to be inspired when I'm on the move. I'm not creative when I'm jet-lagged and sleeping in strange hotels.

I don't really see huge barriers between any styles of music.

I'm a spa person. Massages keep me relaxed, so I always try to make time for them when I tour.

If you listen to the way I speak, I have a lot of rhythm, use a lot of accents. When I'm playing my instrument, that concept comes through very clearly.

I listen to a lot of singers, because I find phrasing to be one of the most essential elements of playing.

What happens when an art form becomes ambiguous, I think, is that the standards are lowered. You can say anything is jazz. So I think it's important to reflect on what made jazz so special.

Shame isn't a quiet grey cloud, shame is a drowning man who claws his way on top of you, scratching and tearing your skin, pushing you under the surface.

The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons.

Picasso is still influencing me. Of course, I haven't got that kind of energy, or skill.

As for total disarmament, there are almost 50,000 nuclear weapons in the world today; even if they were banned, not all would be destroyed.

Get me a gun. If I don't go into labor soon, I'm going to shoot myself. And pass the gravy. Pass it now." Valerie - To the Nines

Thus with the year Seasons return, but not to me returns Day, or the sweet approach of ev'n or morn, Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine.

This is the first day of the rest of my life. So why is my hair sticking up like a cockerel?

I'm really open to just about anything but I think the real dream is to be able to write my own thing.

Bees sip honey from flowers and hum their thanks when they leave. The gaudy butterfly is sure that the flowers owe thanks to him.

Ronaldinho was virtually unstoppable at his best, as a forward or a playmaker.