"It will make a weak man mighty. it will make a mighty man fall. It will fill your heart and hands or leave you with nothing at all. It's the eyes for the blind and legs for the lame. It is the love for hate and pride for shame. That's the power of the gospel."

"Life is short and if you're looking for extension, you had best do well. 'Cause there's good deeds and then there's good intentions. They are as far apart as Heaven and Hell."

"I grew up with a heavy diet of gospel, folk, and blues because those are kind of the cornerstones of traditional American music."

"I am famous because I am an African American jazz artist."

"My dad's Irish music was such a huge influence."

"The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards."

"For me the visual is just as important as the music."