In the year of 1902, when I was about seventeen years old, I happened to invade one of the sections [in New Orleans] where the birth of Jazz originated from.

Get up from that piano. You hurtin' its feelings.

My contributions were many: First clown director, with witty sayings and flashily dressed, now called master of ceremonies.

Jazz music is a style, not compositions; any kind of music may be played in Jazz if one has the knowledge.

Jazz music is to be played sweet, soft, plenty rhythm.

It is evidently known, beyond contradiction, that New Orleans is the cradle of Jazz and I, myself, happened to be the creator in the year 1902.

Rejoice at the death and cry at the birth: New Orleans sticks close to the Scriptures.

I do not claim any of the creation of the blues, although I have written many of them even before Mr. Handy had any blues published. I heard them when I was knee-high to a duck.

You can't make jazz without using certain elements of Latin music.

Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.

If you care about what you do and work hard at it, there isn't anything you can't do if you want to.

I’m a man of words, yet you rob me of them every single time.

I made a list of people who needed just a little bit of money. And when the list was complete, there were 42 names. The total amount of money they needed was $27. I was shocked.

Dark windows are often a very clear proof.

I address you with neither rancor nor bitterness in the fading twilight of life, with but one purpose in mind: to serve my country.

A broken heart is not the same as sadness. Sadness occurs when the heart is stone cold and lifeless. On the contrary, there is an unbelievable amount of vitality in a broken heart.

A flawless cup: how delicate and fine The flowing curve of every jewelled line! Look, turn it up or down, 'tis perfect still-- But holds no drop of life's heart-warming wine.

Ah, I like the look of packing crates! A household in preparation for a journey! ... Something full of the flow of life, do you understand? Movement, progress...

Clear statement is argument.