When I got started in New York, if you were different from Miles & Dizzy it was very difficult.

I quit drinking, so I can think clear. When you have chop trouble, drinking doesn't help the healing process.

[Lee Morgan] was the only young cat that scared me when he played. He had so much fire and natural feeling. I had more technique, but he had that feeling. People seemed to like him more than they like me at the beginning.

Dizzy used to tell me I'm playing too hard. He'd say to not give everything. Miles told me that too.

I used to try to play like [Miles Davis], and Miles caught me copying him one night at Birdland. He said, 'Hey man, why don't you play some of your own stuff.' So, I finally did, because I had copied all his solos.

They always want to sell me as a hard bopper.

I advise all the young kids to not overwork. You can't be out there blowing hard. You have to pace yourself.