You know, when you've established a certain thing, what can you do? You're stuck with it.

If you establish an identity, you build a monster-and thats right, youve got to live with it. Of course, you can enjoy it, too.

When Hank Jones had his night off, I would get somebody to take my place as intermission pianist and I'd play the show with Ella, so I would get a chance to play with Ray Brown and Charlie Smith as well.

I always tell people, it took me 10 minutes and 35 years in the business. I get tired of playing it ["Lullaby of Birdland"], but not of collecting the royalties.

Perfect retention. I dont think I could do that-Ive never disciplined myself to do it.I suppose a lot of it is a question of discipline. Which improvisation is not.

I don't like freedom jazz - I think it's void of roots and void of foundation.

My affiliation with England is borne out by the fact that I do come back for periodic visits.