Ella Fitzgerald

Don’t give up trying to do what you really want. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Forgive me if I don’t have the words. Maybe I can sing it and you’ll understand.

I’m very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it’s a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it’s because it’s something I love to do.

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.

It isn’t where you came from, its where you’re going that counts.

I sing like I feel.

The more vulnerable and the more confused the song is, the equal and opposite effect is how I feel after having written it.

I’m not claiming divinity. I’ve never claimed purity of soul. I’ve never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can… But I still believe in peace, love and understanding.

When you begin to teach Jazz, the most dangerous thing is to teach style.

Trios offer simple instrumentation, but the orchestral possibilities are so profound.

Play what you know and then play above that.

T-Bone was, to me, that sound of being in heaven.

If everyone liked what I did, I probably wouldn’t be playing anything of depth.

You can separate the men from the boys and ballads.

If a guy’s got it, let him give it. I’m selling music, not prejudice.

The Jazz Age became less and less an affair of youth. The sequel was like a children’s party taken over by the elders.

I heard someone say ‘What’s that kid doing here? Call your piano player and let’s get started.’

I’ll keep evolving and put that into my songs.

Being a musician is what I do, but it’s not what I am.

The sign of a mature musician is knowing what not to play.

You don’t know what love is, until you’ve learned the meaning of the blues, until you’ve loved a love you’ve had to lose.