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

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.

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 decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, 'Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here.'

Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.

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.