The way you change and help music is by tryin' to invent new ways to play

White folks always think that you have to have a label on everything - you know what I mean?

You know why I quit playing ballads? Cause I love playing ballads.

It's always been a gift with me, hearing music the way I do. I don't know where it comes from, it's just there and I don't question it.

That's the way women do. The frown. They want to give you the attitude to approach them back, by giving you a negative vibe.

At least one day out of the year all musicans should just put their instruments down, and give thanks to Duke Ellington.

We're not going to play the blues anymore. Let the white folks play the blues. They got 'em, so they can keep 'em.