What the hell do you want to work for somebody else for? Work for yourself!

Life is a lot like jazz. It's best when you improvise.

True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time.

Originality is the only thing that counts. But the originator uses material and ideas that occur round him and pass through him. And out of his experience comes the original creation.

Jazz is one of the best things that you can find in your life, it can always be your friend.

I like to think of music as an emotional science.

Look at the piano. You'll notice that there are white notes and black notes. Figure out the difference between them and you'll be able to make whatever kind of music you want.

Jazz I regard as an American folk music; not the only one, but a very powerful one which is probably in the blood and feeling of the American people more than any other style of folk music.

Music sets up certain vibration which unquestionably results in a physical reaction. Eventually the proper vibration for every person will be found and utilized.

I didn't even start playing the piano until I was about 13 or 14. I guess I must have had a little talent or whatever-you-call-it, but I practised regularly, and that's what counts.

Why should I limit myself to only one woman when I can have as many women as I want?

Think like magician, present like magician and perform like magician.

Marriage can be tricky and challenging at times.

Onion rings in the car cushions do not improve with time.

Comedy is incredibly hard. You have to be loose. You have to be not afraid to fail.

We're all killers at heart . . . . I have never taken anybody's life, but I have often read obituary notices with considerable satisfaction.

In my religion it's actually better to know you're doing wrong and try to improve that wrong than to think philosophically that what you're doing is right and in fact it is wrong.

I'm so picky. People hate going to the movies with me.

Corporate worship is a regular gracious reminder that it's not about you. You've been born into a life that is a celebration of another.

You talk about what a director, he was smart. He said, Turn the camera on!

Civilization is a natural and inevitable consequence - whether good or evil I am not prepared to state.