From now back to the past, we can observe clearly that none of us is free.

I started composing when I was around 13, and back then, people used to say that I needed to be a composer or a performer, but I can't be good at both of them. I could never understand why anyone would say that. Jellyroll did both, Bessie Smith did both, and so did I.

I write all the time. I always have. I can pick up my horn to warm up, and an idea will pop into my head, and I'll write it down and file it away for another time.

I always felt of myself as a composer, performer, improviser. I've never called myself a jazz man. I make art.

Everything and anything is valuable.

The artist is the consciousness of society... but musicians' role is very special.