They call it jazz, I call it organized civilization. by Duke Ellington

I’m just saying, if the groove is good, why is everybody dressing like they’re billing by the hour?

At least I showed up on time, Duke treated the downbeat like a rumor.

Benny, you were out here acting like the clarinet was a court order.

Basie talks like he invented understatement and still got a standing ovation for it.

Duke, you say that like you didn’t turn every bandstand into a chessboard.

Satchmo, please, some of us like the notes where we put them.

Easy for you to say when your whole plan is making everybody else sound expensive.

Benny, timing is important, but so is having a band that sounds like money with better manners.