Every individual should be expressing themselves, whether a politician or a minister or a policeman.

You could play probably a span of 50 years of me playing St. Louis Blues, and most of the time it will be different every time.

When you hear Bach or Mozart, you hear perfection. Remember that Bach, Mozart and Beethoven were great improvisers. I can hear that in their music.

Jazz isn't dead yet. It's the underpinning of everything in this country. Whether it's a Broadway show, or fusion, or right on through classical music, if it's coming out of the U.S., it's not going to survive unless it's got some jazz influence.

If there's a deadline, I work late. If not, I like to have normal hours, and get up early and work. When things are going well, I hate to quit. And then I'll work 'till exhausted.

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

Your mother’s heartbeat is the first sound you ever hear and your own heartbeat is the last.