I'm very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it's a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it's because it's something I love to do.

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

Listen to her voice, don't look at her.

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

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

I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt … she personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him – and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status – that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman – a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it.

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