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Jazz is an art that takes decades to appreciate and understand.

Jazz comes from our way of life, and because it's our national art form, it helps us to understand who we are.

Just figure out what you think jazz is, and then if it fits into that category, it's jazz, and if it doesn't, it isn't. It's no big deal.

Jazz is like a big secret club. The mainstream media doesn't pay any attention to it; it's, like, 1 percent of the music market - no one cares. Why? Because the majority of jazz is old.

Jazz needs the help. It's the more sophisticated music. All the other music is on the TV, but jazz isn't.

Jazz really does try to include everything. It's always been popular music. But the wonderful thing about jazz is its willingness to take chances.

The point of jazz is, you do something and then you go on.

Everybody's not going to like jazz, let's just be honest about it. Everybody doesn't like everything. There's a disconnect in generations and some people just aren't going to feel that music.

Certainly, jazz has become more of a niche, which is surprising, because it's our music. It's the national music of America.