Once when asked how I would like to be remembered, I answered, “As someone who opened doors.
One of the reasons I believe in jazz is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear when you’re born – or before you’re born – and it’s the last thing you hear.
Jazz is about the only form of art existing today in which there is freedom of the individual without the loss of group contact.
We don’t know the power that’s within our own bodies.
Damn it, when I’m bombastic, I have my reasons. I want to be bombastic-take it or leave it.
I wasn’t allowed to play in some universities in the United States and out of twenty-five concerts, twenty-three were canceled unless I would substitute my black bass player for my old white bass player, which I wouldn’t do.
Probably the most profound thing in the Bible is ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.’ This is what, to me, is the essence of Christianity.
Jazz is about freedom within discipline. Usually a dictatorship like in Russia and Germany will prevent jazz from being played because it just seemed to represent freedom, democracy and the United States.
I have more energy at the end than I do at the beginning. You can be so beat up that you can scarcely walk on stage but when you get to the piano the excitement kicks in, you forget about being tired.
Every individual should be expressing themselves, whether a politician or a minister or a policeman.
Jazz is about freedom within discipline.
I’m always hoping for the nights that are inspired where you almost have an out of body experience.
I’m beginning to understand myself. But it would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82.
I prefer no one to teach me. I prefer to swing on my own.