The only justification for looking down on anyone is that you're going to stop and pick them up.

The reason why the music [jazz] is important is because it's an art form-an ancient art form-that takes in the mythology of our people.

I remember when I wrote a piece, "Blood on the Fields," it was a while ago, it was about slavery and about two characters, and I studied so much of music, I would always go back to the original documents, and as much as I can get original chants and slave chants and different type of beats and rhythms and ring shout.

What is deeper than respect and love? That’s what we felt: veneration.

Jazz is not the kind of music you are going to learn to play in three or four years or that you can just get because you have some talent for music.

It's important to address young people in the reopening of New Orleans. In rebuilding, let's revisit the potential of American democracy and American glory.

Don't settle for style. Succeed in substance.