You can't compete with Sweets' sound and time feel. It's impossible.

My father's rich, my momma's good looking. Right? And I can play the Blues. I've never suffered and don't intend to suffer.

In high school I was best in music class on the trumpet, but the prizes went to the boys with blue eyes. I made up my mind to outdo anybody white on my horn.

It's not the note you play that's the wrong note - it's the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.

I've gotten hernias from drummers when they drop tempo.

If you're trying to be hip, be hip.

If you're not nervous then you're not paying attention.