The word [jazz] never lost its association with those New Orleans bordellos. In the 1920s I used to try to convince Fletcher Henderson that we ought to call what we were doing 'Negro music'. But it's too late for that now.

Yet, every time God's children have thrown away fear in pursuit of honesty-trying to communicate themselves, understood or not, miracles have happened.

Tomorrow is in the wings waiting for you to sound her entrance fanfare.

Be a number one yourself. And not a number two somebody else.

If anybody was Mr. Jazz it was Louis Armstrong. He was the epitome of jazz and always will be. He is what I call an American standard, an American original.

Music is my mistress and she plays second fiddle to no one.

There is no art when one does something without intention.