The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves.

Freddie Green has been my right arm for thirty years. And if he leaves the band one day, I'll probably leave with him.

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, 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.

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

Keep on listening & tapping your feet.

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