Learn the rules and then break them in such a way as to exercise good taste.

Perfect retention. I dont think I could do that-Ive never disciplined myself to do it.I suppose a lot of it is a question of discipline. Which improvisation is not.

I always tell people, it took me 10 minutes and 35 years in the business. I get tired of playing it ["Lullaby of Birdland"], but not of collecting the royalties.

When people ask me how is it I was a musician, I facetiously say that I'm a firm believer in reincarnation and in a previous life I was Johann Sebastian Bach's guide dog.

My affiliation with England is borne out by the fact that I do come back for periodic visits.

The way it works: The orchestra plays a few selections of its own and I terminate the first part of the programme on piano, usually with a movement from a Mozart concerto.

If you establish an identity, you build a monster-and thats right, youve got to live with it. Of course, you can enjoy it, too.

Can anybody be given creativity? No. Only equipment to develop it if it's in them in the first place.

You know, when you've established a certain thing, what can you do? You're stuck with it.

I don't like freedom jazz - I think it's void of roots and void of foundation.

In Braille you write your flat sign first and then your note.

I spit into the face of Time That has transfigured me.

Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.

The last struggles of a great superstition are very frequently the worst.

And even when success comes, as I am sure it will, bear in mind that there are more quiet and enviable joys than to be among the most sought after women at a ball.

Sexuality is to feminism what work is to Marxism.

The neutralizer to fear is self belief.

All men are potential rapists.

Watch yourself as though you were observing a Martian.

Sometimes you find your voice by trying to write like people, and sometimes you find it by trying to write unlike people.

I'll tell you what, I've been in some seriously bad places playing golf and it's just part of the game.