Johnny Griffin Quotations

Much of what was said was initially said by the cooperating witness, ... It was leading questions.

He knew his son was being held and he believed they would let him and his son go if he cooperated.

If Wildcat could not get information for the FBI, Wildcat would not be paid.

He did not lie. The only reason he said what was on those tapes is he was pressured to do so. He would embellish because it got to a point he would do and say whatever the FBI wanted him to do and say.

Roane County lost a very good man in Tony Mason. He touched a lot of lives. I don't think I know anyone that has touched as many people.

Wardrobe is gone. Set dressing is gone. The sets have all been struck and torn down and hauled away. Nothing has been put into storage. Everything has been disposed of. And if the show comes back, they'll regroup for another year.

We don't necessarily promote him, we promote the company and what we have to offer.

What this proves is that the government is not prepared to try this case, plain and simple.

The government in my view put its best foot forward -- and slipped and fell.

There is reasonable doubt. You can't fill in the blanks. You can't speculate.

I'm sure (the Hayats) are disappointed, ... They really wanted their day in court to clear their name.

It's clear (in the recorded interview) his comprehension (of English) is not that great. They had clay in their hands they could mold, certain buttons they knew they could push.

For him to run would be akin to him admitting he is a terrorist,

It's a bittersweet moment right now. His father tried to hang on.

It's been an emotional day. At least he'll get to be with his mother and brother so they can be a comfort to each other.

Jazz is music made by and for people who have chosen to feel good in spite of conditions.

My father had played cornet, although I never saw him play it. I found his mouthpiece when I was a kid. I used to buzz it. And my mother played piano and sang in the church choir for different functions. So there was always music in the house, jazz, gospel, or whatever. Especially jazz records.

I like to play fast. I get excited, and I have to sort of control myself, restrain myself. But when the rhythm section gets cooking, I want to explode.

My grammar school graduating class in 1941 had a little party for 13 or 14 year-old kids. [Trumpeter] King Kolax's band played for the party and Gene Ammons was playing tenor saxophone with the band. And that's when I said, "That's it!" Just like that, tunnelvision ever since.