I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.

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.

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

If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!

The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves.

I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.

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.