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.

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

I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am one thing, a musician.

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

I'm not messing around with nobody's woman. If I want a woman I go get her - you know what I mean?

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.

Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the motherfucker who plays it is 80 percent.