Tastes are created by the business interests. How else can you explain the popularity of Al Hirt?

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.

It (jazz) isn't like it used to be. The guys aren't together. They're all separated. Individuals now. Bird was a symbol. It was a clique, a clique of people. Who all believed in one thing: gettin' high. And playin'.

If someone has been escaping reality, I don't expect him to dig my music.

In my music, I'm trying to play the truth of what I am.

Thelonius Monk went over to Bird and Bud Powell and said, 'I told you guys to act crazy, but I didn't tell you to fall in love with the act. You're really crazy now.'

I'm trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it's difficult is because I'm changing all the time.