When I got near teen age, I was so happy with my friends and the African-American culture that I couldn't imagine not being part of it.

I get a wave of pride in America when I look back at what we've accomplished in the field of music.

People are going to wake up to this great reservoir of music we've created in America - cakewalks, one-steps, boogie-woogie, country and western. I had a bit to do with one of those traditions.

Genetically, I'm pure Greek. Psychologically, environmentally, culturally, by choice, I'm a member of the black community.

When I got near teen age, I was so happy with my friends and the African American culture that I couldn't imagine not being part of it.

Society wants to categorize everything, but to me it's all African-American music.

I'm not suggesting our music is the only music, but I am suggesting that there are certain elements in America's culture that are so precious that it would be a shame for them to go down the drain.

(Wallace) Stevens turns to the idea of the weather precisely as the religious man turns to the idea of God.

You don't know what you can get away with until you try.

Do your own thing with love and passion. You will be happy, no matter the result of your action.

Persistent smile brings out hollow dimples, and persistent frowns brings out hollow wrinkles.

You can stuff yourself with emotional fulfillment until it’s dribbling down your chin & your ego will quickly chomp it down and demand more.

The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding.

When you’re sitting in a dark room, you can either sit and curse the darkness—or you can light a candle.

In my life there is an infinite supply of love, it is in exhaustible, I can never use it all in this lifetime so I don't have to be sparing with it!

I took a route of acting, rather than starmaking, so it cost me a lot financially.