I had a chance to play with the best musicians that were coming through because I was pretty good myself or else they wouldn't have tolerated with me.

The best I can do is stay happy.

As many bands as you heard [in New Orleans], that's how many bands you heard playing right. I thought I was in Heaven playing second trumpet in the Tuxedo Brass Band -- and they had some funeral marches that would just touch your heart, they were so beautiful.

You've got to be good or as bad as the devil.

I had a chance to play with the best musicians that were coming through because I was pretty good myself or else they wouldn't have tolerated with me.

At first it was just a misdemeanor, but then you lost the "mis-de" and you just got meaner and meaner.

There's only two ways to sum up music; either it's good or it's bad. If it's good you don't mess about it, you just enjoy it.