I started in New Orleans music and played all through the history of jazz.
Register is very important. Music sounds best in a certain register.
When I first started playing music in 1955, there was just a small body of people that knew it. It was a very esoteric type of thing.
When I found the music of Monk I finally found music that fit that horn. Every one of his tunes fit it perfectly.
If you have music you want to play that no one asks you to play, you have to go out and find where you can play it. It's called do or die.
The saxophone is a very interesting machine, but I'm more interested in music.
Jazz is people's music, a collectivity.
I've performed solo for 20 years now, but I don't do much of it, because if you only play alone, you go crazy and out of tune and play foolish music.
I was spoiled by Monk's music because it was so good, so complete.
There's a lot of reflection that goes on whenever I write a song - it's been a wild whirlwind last couple of years and there's a lot to talk about, and hopefully that's evident in the music.
Ain't nobody making music to not be heard and the easiest way to be heard is to be on the radio, but you should never compromise who you are, your values or your morals.
I not only wanted to showcase lyrical skills but also continue to drop knowledge on the hiphop community. I'm looking to elevate through my music, and through my music I educate.
I don't feel comfortable making empty music.
I think music sharing of any kind is great.
I think all those artists are artists who are appreciated because you believe their words and you appreciate their honesty in their music. If you don't appreciate the honesty in the music, the beat can be fly as hell but you'll never give an emcee props.