I don't require lust, sex, or classic beauty; I require trust, respect, and honesty. All else builds from there.

I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea.

Sweets [Edison] can say more with one note than any other Jazz player alive... an approach that stresses simplicity, glorious tone, natural potency and an unmatched affinity. He is a unique stylist in our music.

He's not a performer, he's not a composer, he's not even a musician, but Norman Granz is Mr. Jazz.

Louie Bellson represents the epitome of musical talent. His ability to cover the whole musical spectrum from an elite percussionist to a very gifted composer and arranger never ceases to amaze me. I consider him one of the musical giants of our age.

I don't do something because I think it will sell 30 million albums. I couldn't care less. If it sells one, it sells one.

I despair about the lack of proper respect shown for the piano. If you want it to sound like a traffic jam, go out in the street and forget the piano. That's not a piano sound.