I think 'Horace Silver' was actually the first live jazz group I ever heard back when I was a kid in St. Louis. So along with most players of my generation, I have a real affection for the music of 'Horace Silver.'

In regard to music, I just think that it's always best to have an attitude of being a perpetual student and always look to learn something new about music, because there's always something new to learn. Don't dismiss something out of hand because you think it's either beneath you or outside of the realm of where your interests lie.

I just kinda like playing. I don’t necessarily go on tour to promote my albums. I’m on the road all the time. The fact that I have a new record is out is a coincidence.

As a melody instrument player, it’s all about getting from one note to the next, and those intervals and how you navigate your way through these vertical structures of chords. You realize that everything’s moving forward, and it’s all linear.

When I make records, I never listen to stuff after it’s done. Ever.

My name is on the thing, but the reality of it is, when I get up there on stage, I’m part of a band. I’m part of a unit. It’s like a basketball team.

Music is just kind of an expression of who I am. It’s what I do.

In regard to music, I just think that it’s always best to have an attitude of being a perpetual student and always look to learn something new about music, because there’s always something new to learn.

I have pretty ecumenical tastes. I’m interested in a lot of different kinds of music, so I don’t listen with a jaundiced ear to music because it’s in a certain category, whether it’s country or opera or hip-hop or bebop or whatever it is.

I’ll just sit at the piano a lot an play like through different chord exercises and kind of just throwing my hands down on the piano from one chord to the next to see what happens.