Dizzy Gillespie

They're not particular about whether you're playing a flatted fifth or a ruptured 129th as long as they can dance to it.

It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play.

I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we're here is to be a part of this process of exchange.

How do I know why Miles walks off the stage? Why don't you ask him? And besides, maybe we'd all like to be like Miles, and just haven't got the guts.

Men have died for this music. You can't get more serious than that.

I'd like to play for you one of my compositions, my only composition.