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

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

Our nights didn't begin until after noon. Because in the old days, you'd start Birdland at 8:30 or 9 pm and play until 4 in the morning. Then you'd go out to the corner and talk to a couple of musicians - I used to talk to Oscar Pettiford a whole lot - you'd stand there till 7, 8 or 9, or else go down to the jam session at Minton's.

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

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.

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?

I was always doing revolutionary things, things that would alert people, so they would stop being so subservient.