The reason why the music is important is that it's an art form— an ancient art form— that takes in the mythology of our people. - Wynton Marsalis

I think that virtuosity is the first sign of morality in a musician. It means you're serious enough to practice.

Flexibility is an essential part of Jazz. It's what gives Jazz music the ability to combine with all other types of music and not lose its identity.

I had a trumpet, but I didn't want to be a trumpet player. I wanted to be some type of athlete or in some type of scholarly activity, be a chemist or something—I had my little chemistry set, and I like playing with it.