It takes you years to learn how to play like yourself.

People will go for anything they don't understand if it's got enough hype.

Keith, how does it feel to be a genius?

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

If you hit a wrong note, it's the next note that you play that determines if it's good or bad.

The melody is French. But that's the end of the record. I named it "Jean Pierre Then There Were None," you know, because of the big explosion. You'll like it. It's a nice album.

If you got up on the bandstand at Minton's and couldn't play, you were not only going to be embarrassed by the people ignoring you or booing you, you might get your ass kicked.