Count Basie

The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves.

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, ‘Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here.

Keep on listening and tapping your feet.

Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!

I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.

I just think swing is a matter of some good things put together that you can really pat your foot by. I can’t define it beyond that.

Know the business; you need to know the business side of things.

The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.

The joy of music should never be interrupted by a commercial.

I find my inspiration in myself.

I haven’t a great Jazz band and I don’t want one.

I tried to connect my singing voice to my guitar an’ my guitar to my singing voice. Like the two was talking to one another.

To play piano is a significant part of my life, my existence. It fulfills a very physical and spiritual need for me.

Play it f**kin’ loud!

[moving to Las Vegas] It was sort of like a man getting married – you don’t have to go out looking for girls, you’ve got your girl with you. I could go to casinos any time I had money and wanted to, so I actually went less.

There are wonderful things in Jazz, the improvisation, the liveliness, the being at one with the audience.

Jazz is rhythm and meaning.

Jazz Improvisation means that practice is not as straightforward as it would be when you simply have a score to play.

When you listen to a pianist, each notes should have an identity, each note should have a soul of its own.

The genius of our country is improvisation, and jazz reflects that. It’s our great contribution to the arts.

I like the interplay in the music.