But, I don't think any arranger should ever write a drum part for a drummer because if a drummer can't create his own Interpretation of the chart and he plays everything that's written, he becomes mechanical; he has no freedom.

Every drummer that had a name, had a name because of his individual playing. He didn't sound like anybody else, So everybody that I ever listened to, in some form, influenced my taste.

You either swing a band or don't swing a band and that's what's lacking today.. There aren't any guys who get back there and play with any kind of guts.

A great musician is just a thief who doesn't get caught

Average band with a great drummer sounds great, great band with an average drummer sounds average.

I never believed in a set routine. It should depend on how you feel, because you play what you feel.

I think it's a fallacy that the harder you practice the better you get.