My people are Americans. My time is today.

Originality is the only thing that counts. But the originator uses material and ideas that occur round him and pass through him. And out of his experience comes the original creation.

It is always possible to create something original.

All great composers of the past spent most of their time studying. Feeling alone won't do the job. A man also needs technique.

Jazz is one of the best things that you can find in your life, it can always be your friend.

Jazz I regard as an American folk music; not the only one, but a very powerful one which is probably in the blood and feeling of the American people more than any other style of folk music.

The composer does not sit around and wait for an inspiration to walk up and introduce itself...Making music is actually little else than a matter of invention aided and abetted by emotion. In composing we combine what we know of music with what we feel.