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.

Musicians in my day had nicknames. My name was "Satchel Mouth," like a doctor's satchel. When I went to England this fellow was strictly English, and he was editor of the newspaper there. He shook my hand after I got off the train and said, "Hello, Satchmo." So right away my trombone player said, "Mmm, the man thinks you have mo' mouth than Satchel Mouth." So I was stuck with it, and it turned out all right.

It makes you feel good, man, makes you forget all the bad things that happen to a Negro. It makes you feel wanted, and when you're with another tea smoker, it makes you feel a special kinship.

It ain't whatcha say, it's the way howcha say it.

[Bebop is] Chinese music.

Musicians don't retire; they stop when there's no more music in them.

You will never know what the meaning of Jazz is if ask what it means.