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I love the sound of the saxophone. It became my singing voice, and it sounds so human. The saxophone could carry the words past the border of words. It can carry it a little bit farther.

I don't know why, but I like the saxophone.

The saxophone is a very interesting machine, but I'm more interested in music.

As far as other instrumentalists, I used to love mellow sax players like Paul Desmond. I love piano.

My drummer, Gene Lake, is Oliver Lake's son. So I certainly have wide tastes, in not only what I listen to, but what I play as well.

If you like an instrument that sings, play the saxophone. At its best it's like the human voice.

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

The other saxophones, except as solo instruments, really don't have much point in the orchestra.

When you play a sax, that saxophone is irreverent. It's noisy; it's a trickster... you cannot hide the saxophone in your hands, so it's a good teacher.

The saxophone is an imperfect instrument, especially the tenor and soprano, as far as intonation goes. The challenge is to sing on an imperfect instrument that is outside of your body.