When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about me, but I always felt like at least musically, let me just do what I do and be the best at it. Which is what I'm doing right now.

When I was growing up, there were parties that I went to that were mostly Filipinos and maybe a couple of black guys, but we liked all types of music.

So I think it's better to say something than not to say anything at all, even to an ignorant person.

Of course I'm going to feel that frustration and angry emotion going on, but at the same time, I realize that people just don't know.

I'm not trying to disrespect anybody by saying this - I'm not sure I feel any interaction with Asian America in any collective sense. - It's like, when you're telling me this right now, my reaction is, Really? Asian America knows about me?

I played saxophone, so I was into jazz. I learned from each audience and each teacher that I had. I can't really tell you any rules or anything, but the way I develop my beliefs is really just by personally learning from different situations.