I guess what everyone wants more than anything else is to be loved. And to know that you loved me for my singing is too much for me. Forgive me if I don't have all the words. Maybe I can sing it and you'll understand.

[On bebop years] All I did was sing 'How High the Moon.' It seemed like the only song I ever sang.

I stole everything I ever heard, but mostly I stole from the horns.

Whatever she does to my songs, she always makes them sound better.

She has been more famous, over a longer time span, than any other female singer.

Some kids in Italy call me 'Mama Jazz; I thought that was so cute. As long as they don't call me 'Grandma Jazz.'

When we were at the Apollo, Holiday was a block away. I asked her for her autograph.