When I grow up I want to be just like Benny Carter!

Everyone wants to put people on, I think. And get away with it! That's the thing: put people on and get away with it! That's a science in itself.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your magnificent indifference.

Many critics always saw and heard that my style comes from Roy Eldridge, which is true. But for many things, not only how to play the trumpet but the way to choose the notes, how to play them and how to phrase all of them, I took that from Sweets [Edison]. He really brought something new to the trumpet.

Miles got a mystique about him-plus he's at the top of his profession. And he's got way, way, way more money.

How do I know why Miles walks off the stage? Why don't you ask him? And besides, maybe we'd all like to be like Miles, and just haven't got the guts.

Nothing surpasses my performances with small bands, especially with Charlie Parker. A small band doesn't forestall creativity.