Aside from that, what was more in our heads when we made the new album is the concept of forging through and exploring new territory and encouraging other musicians to not be afraid to explore new territory.

I started playing piano when I was 7. And I started with classical lessons. Then I really got exposed to jazz.

Still, when I finally left Miles in '68 and got my own band, it was a logical step; because anybody that left Miles always had their own band.

Clare Fischer was a major influence on my harmonic concept. He and Bill Evans, and Ravel and Gil Evans, finally. You know, that's where it really came from. Almost all of the harmony that I play can be traced to one of those four people and whoever their influences were.

I'm aiming that towards people, towards humanity, not even just musicians. Because this is about life, not about musicians.

He just blew me away and what it taught me was that Miles didn't hear it as a mistake.