Mutual respect is so important because as soon as it disappears in relations between you and the next person, there's trouble.

There have been two great revelations in my life: The first was bepop, the second was homeopathy.

It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play.

I try to play the bare essence, to let everything be just what it's supposed to be.

I know all the Latin-American rhythms quite well, but I don't play them exactly like they do in their own country - I add my personal touch.

We loved one another, man. I mean all those stories about the rift ... there was no question of a rift between Charlie Parker and me.

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.