I still continue to do at least four concert tours a year, and in many cases, as many as six.

The economic picture in the States today doesn't allow for jazz concerts in a tour fashion. People now are too used to the Festival, which gives them more names for the same price.

Jazz is America's own. It is played and listened to by all peoples - in harmony together. Pigmentation differences have no place... as in genuine democracy, only performance counts.

You’re probably smarter than you present yourself.

Germany is probably the richest country in Western Europe. Yet they wouldn't take any television with Duke and Ella, their reaction being that people weren't interested in it.

I still continue to do at least four concert tours a year, and in many cases, as many as six.

I allowed artists to play for as long as they felt they could justifiably continue to create.