Many people don't understand how disciplined you have to be to play jazz... And that is really the idea of democracy - freedom within the Constitutio….

I wasn't allowed to play in some universities in the United States and out of twenty-five concerts, twenty-three were canceled unless I would substit….

When I was first aware that I couldn't read music I didn't know I couldn't read because I could play the music that was in front of me..

Damn it, when I'm bombastic, I have my reasons. I want to be bombastic-take it or leave it..

We don't know the power that's within our own bodies.

Jazz is about freedom within discipline..

Probably the most profound thing in the Bible is 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.' This is what, to me, is the essence of Christian….

Art may not have the power to change the course of history, but it can provide a perspective on historical events that needs to be heard, even if it'….

Jazz is about the only form of art existing today in which there is freedom of the individual without the loss of group contact..

One of the reasons I believe in jazz is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that ….

I have more energy at the end than I do at the beginning. You can be so beat up that you can scarcely walk on stage but when you get to the piano the….

Jazz stands for freedom. It's supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don't be a perfectionist - leav….

I'm always hoping for the nights that are inspired where you almost have an out of body experience.

Kinship doesn't come from skin color. It's in your soul and your mind..

Jazz is about freedom within discipline. Usually a dictatorship like in Russia and Germany will prevent jazz from being played because it just seemed….

Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical musicians..

I don't think you can separate a person's "style" and his persona. If you're writing or improvising honestly, you will inevitably reflect who you are..

When things are going well, I hate to quit..

It's like a whole orchestra, the piano for me..

I’m beginning to understand myself. But it would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82..

I got a poster from Columbia Records, and there's Miles Davis, Charlie Mingus, Ellington, Count Basie - everybody in that poster has died, I'm the on….