I have been able to get a small audience. It's not the huge audience, but it's enough to make it possible to play. I appreciate that.

I always felt as a horn player, a jam session wasn't satisfying enough for me. I should have been a rhythm section player, actually.

After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a simple melody and have it clean and touch the reed at the proper time in the proper way.

A first love always occupies a special place.

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I wanted the clarinet.

In some ways Lester Young is the most complex rhythmically of any musician. He does some things which are just phenomenal.