If I'm going to sing like someone else, then I don't need to sing at all.

I think I copied my style from Louis Armstrong. Because I used to like the big volume and the big sound that Bessie Smith got when she sang ... So I liked the feeling that Louis got and I wanted the big volume that Bessie Smith got. But I found that it didn't work with me, because I didn't have a big voice. So anyway between the two of them I sorta got Billie Holiday.

One day a whole damn song fell into place in my head.

The only reason they're out there is to see me fall into the damn orchestra pit.

I try to improvise like Les Young, Louis Armstrong or someone else I admire. What comes out is what I feel.

When you sing, always tell the truth.

I can only sing songs my way. I don't know any other way.