By giving the public a rich and full melody, distinctly arranged and well played, all the time creating new tone colors and patterns, I feel we have a better chance of being successful. I want a kick to my band, but I don't want the rhythm to hog the spotlight.

I haven't a great Jazz band and I don't want one.

Why do you judge me as a musician, John? All I'm interested in is making money.

We didn't come here to set any fashions in music. We merely came to bring a much-needed touch of home to some lads who have been here a couple of years.

I thought I had swell ideas, and wonderful musicians, but the hell of it, no one else did.

By giving the public a rich and full melody, distinctly arranged and well played, all the time creating new tone colors and patterns, I feel we have a better chance of being successful. I want a kick to my band, but I don't want the rhythm to hog the spotlight.

A band ought to have a sound all of its own. It ought to have a personality.