In Europe they look upon jazz as art. In America it's a diversion. Somebody opens a restaurant and installs another band off to the side. People don't listen.

I'm definitely a romantic, I don't think life is really worth all the pain and effort and struggling if you don't have somebody that you love very much

You don't know what love is, until you've learned the meaning of the blues, until you've loved a love you've had to lose.

I don't believe that jazz will ever really die. It's a nice way to express yourself.

It seems to me that most people are impressed with just three things: how fast you can play, how high you can play, and how loud you can play.

Your looks are laughable, unphotographable, yet you're my favorite work of art. Is your figure less than Greek, is your mouth a little weak? When you open it to speak, are you smart?

I soon became aware that there wasn't enough time or opportunity to kiss all the girls in the world. The best thing is to stay cool - just be choosy and wait for the right opportunity.

Well if I could play like Wynton, I wouldn't play like Wynton.

It takes a pretty good drummer to be better than no drummer at all.

The drummer; he inspired me to play like no one else I have ever met.

Artt Frank is my all-time favorite drummer. He always seems to know where I'm going.

Men treat you, the way you make them treat you.

These are the moments that make the dot-to-dot pictures of our past

I read that heavy drinking is bad for your health. I decided I better stop reading.

Money doesn’t know about clocks, schedules or holidays and you shouldn’t either. Money loves people that have great work ethic.

Today only happens once in a lifetime. Make the most of it.

Don't dress for fashion, dress for yourself

Every single band in the world has these gigantic songs that people are obsessed with.

When I first met Jack, I was terrified of him. I wasn't expecting a fun, laughing, enjoyable, exciting guy. I walked into his office like most people, with my knees knocking together. I was scared.

What is this "heart"? If I tear open that chest of yours, will I see it there? If I smash open that skull of yours, will I see it there?

Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.