"I felt like I was a teacher. But nowadays, I am as much a student of his. He writes a lot of what we play."

"Certainly one of the more common experiences in the jazz field is discovering someone new. Improvising musicians are capable of being musical travelers, voyagers. We want to join in on whatever we hear. There is a freedom to wander the musical landscape."

"It keeps me in touch with younger musicians who are constantly saying, 'Have you heard this new artist, or this new guitar player?' It keeps you reaching."

"I've made more than 50 records with a wide range of music. I've often veered to check something out."

"It hasn't been hard getting nominated, but winning it is another thing. The competition is tough."