“Don't worry about what others say about your music. Pursue whatever you are hearing... but if everybody really hates your music maybe you could try some different approaches.”
“The nerves are a problem on trumpet, because when you mess up everyone can hear it. Just remember most people are too polite to say anything about it. That should calm your nerves.”
“To put on your suit and play jazz music, ... knowing that many people in your audience have never experienced any jazz whatsoever, you have to believe beyond the fear of rejection. But that fear is part of creating.”
“This is one of the great cultural cities of the world. Through the music, New Orleans spoke to the soul of the nation. That's why this is a national crisis.”
“We really turned it into a jazz work, ... We did a lot of playing with - and off - the orchestra. But we were watching the conductor the whole time. We weren't just out there. We worked everything out in advance. ... We're very pleased with the way it turned out.”
