I Never Bothered About Keeping

As Far As I'm Concerned, The Essentials Of Jazz Are: Melodic Improvisation, Melodic Invention, Swing, And Instrumental Personality.

The Idea Was I'd Never Amount To Anything In Music, The Theme There Was That I Was Talented, But I Wouldn't Work Hard Enough To Do Anything With It.

I Didn't Feel Anything [frustraiting]. I Just Kept Working 110 Or 120 Nights A Year.

My Main Influences Have Always Been The Classic Jazz Players Who Sang, Like Louis Armstrong And Nat King Cole And Jack Teagarden.

I Told [my Daughter Amy] At An Early Age That She Had A Good Ear. But I Didn't Influence Her Music Much. She's Pretty Much Developed Her Style On Her Own, And She's A Talented Songwriter.