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.""

"It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story."

"Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues."

"I was always willing to say, "Let's see what happens," when something came up that looked like it might help me get a little closer to where I wanted to be . . ."

"I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet."