Gospel music rhythms are not African in origin, although I know that's what the jazz experts say.

If you believe in God, He will open the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon you.

One thing about playing the real jazz is that you can't count it.

Gospel music in those days of the early 1930s was really taking wing. It was the kind of music colored people had left behind them down South and they liked it because it was just like a letter from home.

If you want me to sing this Christmas song with the feeling and the meaning, you better see if you can locate that check.

I don't worry too much about the script, I just ad lib, like Pearl Bailey.

Time is important to me because I want to sing long enough to leave a message. I'm used to singing in churches where nobody would dare stop me until the Lord arrives!