Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, and many other great jazz musicians objected to their music being called jazz. While the outside world may want to put a label on it, those who create it think of it just as music, and tend not to classify it.

There are a lot of people on the lowest rung of Jacob's Ladder, and we must somehow reach down, give them a hand, and make them want to climb. A little really good music never hurt anyone. And when people are given good music they can grow spiritually and even discover they like it.

Damn it, when I'm bombastic, I have my reasons. I want to be bombastic-take it or leave it.

I prefer no one to teach me. I prefer to swing on my own.

The worst thing about the life of a jazz musician on the road is getting to the gig. Once you're there and playing, it's marvelous.

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

My own Brubeck Institute in California is turning out fantastic young jazz players, and I know great things will happen.