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It is always an honor to work with those that share your passion for music and just enjoy making great music.

I have enjoyed all the artists I've worked with.

To get to record and to do things with the legends, and with the people that are your musical heroes, that's the biggest honor as an artist.

I've always enjoyed the enthusiasm of the best studio musicians and, over the years, have collected so many inspired contributions from them.

I've spent my life pursing excellence as an artist, which is what I always wanted to do anyhow.

The biggest honor of my career was when I won R&B Artist of the Year back in the 1970s. I look at that as a major honor.

Music is my life, professionally, for nearly 60 years. To be recognized by the academy is still the highest honor.

I've always gotten along best with artists.

I felt I had an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of great soul musicians of the past, who made a lot of social and political commentary through their music.

Over the years it has been my privilege to lead performances with Saint Louis, the National Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and so many other wonderful organizations.