Know what the old masters did. Know how they composed their pictures, but do not fall into the conventions they established. These conventions were right for them, and they are wonderful. They made their language. You make yours. All the past can help you.

I think we all learned not only from 9/11, but even from the snowstorms last fall, that being prepared - yourself and your family - with the basic necessities can only help.

do not operate according to the Geneva Conventions.

According to the Geneva Conventions we're not allowed to do that.

My early influences I'd say were, well, just about all the old great masters like Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, naturally Charlie Parker and quite a few others that are still around like Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Illinois Jacquet and of course my great friend Dexter Gordon.

I'm not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You're as old as you feel.