Most of the international acceptance of jazz education can be traced to the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, and the wonderful program they inaugurated.
I knew even if I'm a cowboy, I'm going to be involved in jazz in some way.
Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical musicians.
Jazz stands for freedom.
My own Brubeck Institute in California is turning out fantastic young jazz players, and I know great things will happen.
The worst thing about the life of a jazz musician on the road is getting to the gig. Once you're there and playing, it's marvelous.
Jazz is about freedom within discipline.
It's like a whole orchestra, the piano for me.
Jazz stands for freedom. It's supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don't be a perfectionist - leave that to the classical musicians.