When I say "our," I definitely mean all of America. It's not less pertinent for you because it comes from a Black person, just like a great achievement by an Anglo American is less important.

Those who play for applause....Tha t’s all they get.

The heart of a music is its rhythm. The heart of rhythm section music is the rhythm.

The Duke and Swing represent affirmation in the face of adversity.

I didn't want to get that ring around my lips from practicing the trumpet, because I thought the girls wouldn't like me. So I never practiced.

If you are serious about American culture and you are serious about Afro-American culture, you are in a lot of pain. You are not - you are not smiling about it.

When did we begin to lose faith in our ability to effect change?