I write very slowly.

I write very, very slowly, and for me, I have to summon all sorts of resources to make one of these pieces work.

Living composers writing for big band are very few and far between. There are not a lot of them, and I have a talent for doing it. I am zeroing in on what I do best.

I like chords that are very lush with all the lush parts taken out.

I write slowly. I actually write quickly, but I throw out so much material.

I still prefer the bebop of the '40s. The very stuff I started out with is still the best to me. I have come full circle.