I always thought that no matter what kind of work people did, they should involve themselves totally with all the discrimination they ran into.

I always thought that no matter what kind of work people did, they should involve themselves totally with all the discrimination they ran into.

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

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.

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'.

They're singing your praises while stealing your phrases.

Everything I do is Mingus.