Duke Ellington

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.

I don't need time. I need a deadline.

My band is my instrument.

Love is supreme and unconditional; like is nice but limited.

Music is my mistress, and she plays second fiddle to no one.

There are two kinds of worries: those you can do something about and those you can't. Don't spend any time on the latter.

I merely took the energy it takes to pout and instead used it to do something creative.

It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.

The most important thing I look for in a musician is whether he or she is a good human being.

Without a deadline, I would be a composer of nothing.

I don't believe in categories. I believe in good music.

The history of jazz is written in the music itself.

Jazz is a good barometer of freedom.

If you're going to play a lot of jazz, you've got to be a little bit crazy.

I never had a problem with my image. I just had a problem with my face.

My men and my music are the best two things that ever happened to me.

I was born in 1899. I am a product of the 19th century.

I'm not a jazz musician. I'm a musician.

The only way to do something is to do it.