I am famous because I am an African American jazz artist.

Music is emotional, and you may catch a musician in a very unemotional mood or you may not be in the same frame of mind as the musician. So a critic will often say a musician is slipping.

If I could read it, I could play it.

I'm not playing for other musicians. We're trying to reach the guy who works all day and wants to spend a buck at night. We'll keep him happy.

You've got to change with the public's taste.

I often wonder whether Negroes like myself who are pretty well known help out at all in breaking down barriers.

Critics don't buy records. They get 'em free.