It's not the style that motivates me, as much as an attitude of openness that I have when I go into a project.
I started off with classical music, and I got into jazz when I was about 14 years old. And I've been playing jazz ever since.
I've had a life that has taken many interesting paths. I've learned a lot from mentors who were instrumental in shaping me, and I want to share what I've learned.
Each human being exists because there's something they have to offer for the evolution of the universe that only they can fulfill.
Being a musician is what I do, but it's not what I am.
I like the idea of an eclectic approach, incorporating jazz with other forms and other genres of music.
While knowledge may provide useful point of reference, it cannot become a force to guide the future.
But I have to be careful not to let the world dazzle me so much that I forget that I'm a husband and a father.
You can practice to attain knowledge, but you can't practice to attain wisdom.
I don't view myself as a musician anymore - I view myself as a human being that functions as a musician when I'm functioning as a musician, but that's not 24 hours a day. That's really opened me up to even more perspectives because now I look at music, not from the standpoint of being a musician, but from the standpoint of being a human being.
But, the truth is that everyone is somebody already.
Creativity shouldn't be following radio; it should be the other way around.
Getting the Oscar had the biggest impression on me.
I feel a lot more secure about the directions I take, than I might have, had I not practiced Buddhism.
I think I was supposed to play jazz.
I think there's a great beauty to having problems. That's one of the ways we learn.
I try stuff. I synthesize what's of value with some of the other things I have at my disposal.
I try to practice with my life.
I'm always looking to create new avenues or new visions of music.
I've been a religious, spiritual person for a long time.
