I never though much about race.

Whatever you think can’t be done, somebody will come along and do it. A genius is the one most like himself.

I say, play your own way. Don't play what the public want - you play what you want and let the public pick up on what you doing - even if it does take them fifteen, twenty years.

Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy

The loudest noise in the world is silence.

There are no wrong notes; some are just more right than others.

Trying to explain music is like trying to dance architecture.

Jazz is freedom. You think about that.

Don't play everything (or every time); let some things go by... What you don't play can be more important than what you do.

Jazz is my adventure. I'm after new chords, new ways of syncopating, new figures, new runs. How to use notes differently. That's it. Just using notes differently.

The only cats worth anything are the cats that take chances.

Yep. And I noticed how slowly he went down each time, too. (When asked if he noticed how slowly Earl Campbell got up after each play.)

A gentleman is never rude except on purpose - I can honestly be nasty sober, believe you me.

The poor are not a problem to be solved but a people to join.

Tiers of mountains Cold wind feet Not need fan Ice cold through Moon shines bright Mist covers everything Sit all alone One old man

In America, you watch TV and think that's totally unreal, then you step outside and it's just the same.

I do forgive people when they get it right, even people who in the past I thought were unforgivable.

I like using a 75-percent swing for wedge shots instead of full force.

Think of the poorest person you know and see if your next act will be of any use to him.

You come into my dreams from a whisper to a scream.

Vin Diesel had to hire a babysitter.