I began to realize that some of the things Ornette Coleman had said about things being played three or fours ways, independently of each other, were true because Bach had also composed that way.

If you make a suggestion and [musicians] don't know what you mean, you have to be able to do it yourself. I often sit down on drums and show 'em just exactly what I want. And I do it and then say, "How do you do that?" It's because I know how it looks, I know what I want to hear, and I don't drop or rush any tempo. It ain't in my body, it ain't in my nephew's body.

Catch Harry Belafonte. He's got a helluva rhythm section.And so have the Pointer Sisters. And that little guy with Sammy Clayton. He plays the whole show with 40 members.

Music is a funny thing when you really come to think about it.

If you have a tone like mine that is recognizable. No matter what I play, when you hear my tone you can tell it's me.

I think the greatest sound in the world is the human voice.

I was minding my own business when something says to me, "you ought to blow trumpet." I have just been trying ever since.