I never wanted this kind of life that Im still living.

Kinship doesn't come from skin color. It's in your soul and your mind.

I had the first integrated Army band in World War II.

Jazz is about the only form of art existing today in which there is freedom of the individual without the loss of group contact.

When things are going well, I hate to quit.

The reality for me is simple. When music is written, it is usually categorized as classical. When it is improvised, it can still be called classical if it is an inspired improvisation. In either category, it is still music, and it can be good or bad or simply mediocre.

I'm always hoping for the nights that are inspired where you almost have an out of body experience