Teddy Wilson, I think, said a little while ago that its much easier to come in and play whatever comes into your mind, without obeying any of the laws of bass line and harmony and so on.

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.

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

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.

A photographer is like a cod, which produces a million eggs in order that one may reach maturity.

Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.

It's up to you to avail yourself to knowledge. Knowledge doesn't need you. The idea of a compassionate God was formulated, obviously, by someone who didn't want to do any work.

Count no matron happy until she hath passed thirty, and hath not waxed fat.

I learned to always take on things I'd never done before.

Impeach President Reagan retroactively for agreeing with Obama on the assault weapons ban.

Human was the music, natural was the static.

As a bandleader, I try to pass on the same family values that I grew up with: help people, hang on to your sense of humour, be tolerant and keep your judgments to yourself.

Long before the empire had reached its greatest extent, the Romans were bored by it.

I love the absurd - kind of absurdist comedy, absurd things in life.