Dizzy Gillespie Play Quotations

It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play.

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

I try to play the bare essence, to let everything be just what it's supposed to be.

Many critics always saw and heard that my style comes from Roy Eldridge, which is true. But for many things, not only how to play the trumpet but the way to choose the notes, how to play them and how to phrase all of them, I took that from Sweets [Edison]. He really brought something new to the trumpet.

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

Learn to play the piano, man, and then you can figure out crazy solos of your own.

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.