I wish the government would put a tax on pianos for the incompetent.

Why not be oneself? That is the whole secret of a successful appearance. If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingese?

I am one of those unhappy persons who inspire bores to the greatest flights of art.

A great many people now reading and writing would be better employed keeping rabbits.

I totally related to Cole Porter's magnetic pull to any piano that was in the room, which he was famous for doing, as was Gershwin. You couldn't drag them away…

[If] you don't have any soul and you don't have any talent, jazz is what you should do. ... any fool can do it; all you gotta do is practice.

The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own.