I don't dig that two-beat jive the New Orleans cats play. My boys and I have to have four heavy beats to the bar and no cheating.

I just think swing is a matter of some good things put together that you can really pat your foot by. I can't define it beyond that.

It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story.

All I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel ... and that's what I've been doing all my life.

If you play a tune and a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune.

Oscar Peterson plays the best ivory box I've ever heard.

If a guy is gonna to play good bop, he has to have a sort of a bop soul.