We live on a planet that now must face, hopefully, a form of globalization inclusive of a vision to make the world a better place for the many -not just a select few -and I believe that the arts are in the forefront of that dream.

At a certain point, I became a kind of musician that has tunnel vision about jazz. I only listened to jazz and classical music.

Globalization means we have to re-examine some of our ideas, and look at ideas from other countries, from other cultures, and open ourselves to them. And that's not comfortable for the average person.

Sometimes you have to create a vision, a path for a vision. It may not be apparent, and you may have to forge it yourself. And that will be the way to move your life forward.

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.