It takes a pretty good drummer to be better than no drummer at all.

I'm definitely a romantic, I don't think life is really worth all the pain and effort and struggling if you don't have somebody that you love very much

You don't know what love is, until you've learned the meaning of the blues, until you've loved a love you've had to lose.

I don't believe that jazz will ever really die. It's a nice way to express yourself.

It seems to me that most people are impressed with just three things: how fast you can play, how high you can play, and how loud you can play.

Your looks are laughable, unphotographable, yet you're my favorite work of art. Is your figure less than Greek, is your mouth a little weak? When you open it to speak, are you smart?

I soon became aware that there wasn't enough time or opportunity to kiss all the girls in the world. The best thing is to stay cool - just be choosy and wait for the right opportunity.

In Europe they look upon jazz as art. In America it's a diversion. Somebody opens a restaurant and installs another band off to the side. People don't listen.

Well if I could play like Wynton, I wouldn't play like Wynton.

The drummer; he inspired me to play like no one else I have ever met.

Artt Frank is my all-time favorite drummer. He always seems to know where I'm going.

The future is meant for those who are willing to let go of the worst parts of the past. When you cannot take two steps without turning around to inspect your footsteps, you are getting nowhere fast.

The value of your work is not in the dollar. It's in your word.

No matter how much and how often - 'things' will never compensate for loss or absence...no matter how guilty a parent feels.

Doo-wop is special music to me because it's so straightforward and melody-driven and captures emotions.

Twitter. Honestly, that's all I really have to say to explain insanity.

I think I've definitely had my rock bottom and I think that was probably right before I went into treatment where I said, 'I definitely need help.'

Do what you love in your community.

When your kid is being selfish or greedy and you want to help them not be that way, you have to find a way to articulate it and inspire them.

I am proud of all my ancestresses. They showed us that it's possible to do great things and still live a happy, pleasure filled life. So can I; so can you.

[Donald Trump] has a tremendous opportunity, you know, this week, to come out and say I don't want that.