Making the simple complicated is commonplace.

Most of the soloists at Birdland had to wait for Parker's next record in order to find out what to play next. What will they do now?

My music is evidence of my souls will to live.

Whatever coast he's on, a man should be himself. I don't write in any particular idiom, I write Charles Mingus.

I've got a feeling that if it's so easy for you - the struggle and the initiative are not as strong as they are for a person who has to struggle and therefore has more to say.

If you think this is weird, just look at yourselves.

I was born swinging and clapped my hands in church as a little boy, but I've grown up and I like to do things other than just swing. But blues can do more than just swing.