Globalization means we have to re-examine some of our ideas, and look at ideas from other countries, from other cultures, and open ourselves to them. And that's not comfortable for the average person.
It's part of life to have obstacles. It's about overcoming obstacles; that's the key to happiness.
Music is the tool to express life - and all that makes a difference.
The strongest thing that any human being has going is their own integrity and their own heart. As soon as you start veering away from that, the solidity that you need in order to be able to stand up for what you believe in and deliver what's really inside, it's just not going to be there.
Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.
My hope is that the music will serve as a metaphor for the actions taken by the inhabitants of this wonderful planet as a call for world harmony on all levels.
I'm always interested in looking forward toward the future. Carving out new ways of looking at things.
We are eternally linked not just to each other but our environment.
The spirit of jazz is the spirit of openness.
Jazz is about being in the moment.
I'm not special, no more special than anybody else.
Forget about trying to compete with someone else. Create your own pathway. Create your own new vision.
In World War II, jazz absolutely was the music of freedom, and then in the Cold War, behind the Iron Curtain, same thing. It was all underground, but they needed the food of freedom that jazz offered.
Creativity and artistic endeavors have a mission that goes far beyond just making music for the sake of music.
I got a chance to work with Miles Davis, and that changed everything for me, 'cause Miles really encouraged all his musicians to reach beyond what they know, go into unknown territory and explore. It's made a difference to me and the decisions that I've made over the years about how to approach a project in this music.
We need to move into a culture of peace. What I hope to promote is the idea that we all need each other and that the greatest happiness in life is not how much we have but how much we give. That's a wealth that's priceless. You can't buy compassion.
I think risk-taking is a great adventure. And life should be full of adventures.
One of the most important functions of jazz has been to encourage a hope for freedom, for people living in situations of intolerance or struggle.
It's not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.
I've always been interested in science. I used to take watches apart and clocks apart, and there's little screws, and a little this and that, and I found out if I dropped one of them, that thing ain't gonna work.
