"Jazz is all about improvisation and it's about the moment in time, doing it this way now, and you'll never do it this way twice. I've studied the masters. Why would I want to play ball after the guys who sit on a bench? I want to play like Michael Jordan"

In this quote, musician Brian McKnight describes the essence of jazz as being focused around spontaneity and living in the present moment. He stresses the uniqueness of each efficiency, as it can never ever be replicated in the exact same method. McKnight likewise mentions his appreciation for the fantastic jazz musicians who have come before him, and his desire to imitate their style rather than imitate those who are not as skilled. He compares this to playing basketball, specifying that he would rather make every effort to play like the famous Michael Jordan than go for being a benchwarmer. Overall, McKnight highlights the significance of imagination and originality in jazz, and the consistent pursuit of excellence.