55 Quotes by Dizzy Gillespie

How do I know why Miles walks off the stage? Why don’t you ask him? And besides, maybe we’d all like to be like Miles, and just haven’t got the guts.

I know all the Latin-American rhythms quite well, but I don’t play them exactly like they do in their own country – I add my personal touch.

I don’t care much about music. What I like is sounds.

Everyone wants to put people on, I think. And get away with it! That’s the thing: put people on and get away with it! That’s a science in itself.

I think the idea is now for blacks to write about the history of our music. It’s time for that, because whites have been doing it all the time. It’s time for us to do it ourselves and tell it like it is.

Nothing surpasses my performances with small bands, especially with Charlie Parker. A small band doesn’t forestall creativity.

I’d like to play for you one of my compositions, my only composition.

One of the reasons we’re here is to be a part of this process of exchange.

Miles got a mystique about him-plus he’s at the top of his profession. And he’s got way, way, way more money.