My whole life, my whole soul, my whole spirit is to blow that horn.

When I was young and very green, I worte that tune, Sister Kate, and someone said that's fine, let me publish it for you. I'll give you fifty dollars. I didn't know nothing about papers, and business, and I sold it outright.

If ya ain't got it in ya, ya can't blow it out.

Jazz is played from the heart. You can even live by it. Always love it.

Love is talkative passion.

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.

To jazz, or not to jazz, there is no question!