I like Stan [Getz], because he has so much patience, the way he plays those melodies - other people can't get nothing out of a song, but he can, which takes a lot of imagination.

Americans don't like any form of art, man. All they like to do is make money. They don't like me, Sammy Davis, or anybody else. They don't like nothing. They just like Sammy because he can make 'em a lot of money.

Everybody ought to listen to Benny [Carter]. He's a whole musical education.

I said to [Lionel] Richie, "Man, my wife says you must really respect women because you write such beautiful love songs."

My ego only needs a good rhythm section

You ever hear Buddy Miles play the drums? You know, he doesn't vary the tempo at all.

The music has gotten thick. Guys give me tunes and they're full of chords. I can't play them...I think a movement in jazz is beginning away from the conventional string of chords, and a return to emphasis on melodic rather than harmonic variation. There will be fewer chords but infinite possibilities as to what to do with them.