I only knew classical music, which to me was the only true music. The only way I could survive at the bar was to mix the classical music with popular songs, and that meant I had to sing. What happened was that I discovered I had a voice plus the talent to mix classical music together with more popular songs, which at the time I detested.

It doesn't matter to me what is going on today because my music encompasses every kind of mood that exists in human beings. That's my stick.

I do love to sing Jacques Brel songs, intensely. I get terribly excited, just by reading a couple of lines in any one of his songs.

I would like you to know, I am a doctor of music.

What kept me sane was knowing that things would change, and it was a question of keeping myself together until they did.

I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about... Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important.

Desegregation is a joke.