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I have always been a person who is concerned with the dignity of jazz music and the way jazz musicians have been treated and are treated, and the fact that the music has not been given the kind of due that it deserves.

A lot of times, I get asked, 'Do you feel you have a responsibility to young girls to be a role model?' I don't see that happening as much to guys. I feel like, just because I'm a girl, I'm supposed to take more responsibility? Is that how it works?

I do think that being a sort of celebrity and being well off does give me some responsibility.

There is an apprenticeship system in jazz. You teach the young ones. So even if the musicians weren't personally that likable, they felt an obligation to help the younger musicians.

I assume everyone around me is older because they look more responsible.

I do feel I have a responsibility to the youths. For real.

We share responsibility. It's important to have a good spouse; that's where I sympathize with single parents.

Jazz celebrates older generations and not just the youth movement. When you 'sell' only to people of a certain age, you get cut off from the main body of experience.

I have a strong sense of responsibility. I like to be directed, it's true. If I didn't like that, I'd do something else.