“Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions: when it ceases to be dangerous you don't want it.”

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”

“Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be too famous too young.”

“So I'm a young boy in the 1940s growing up, seeing Ralph Bunche on a regular basis, seeing Duke Ellington on a regular basis. We know that these people are famous. They're living in the same community as we live in. They go to the same stores and shops.”

“Duke Ellington was famous for hs very original harmonic patterns.”

“My attitude is never to be satisfied, never enough, never.”