In all of these songs I am deliberately attempting to tempt people to like the higher forms of music. Eventually I will succeed. These men have practiced over twenty hours a week perfecting themselves, so that they are capable of performing the most difficult passage or soloing against the most intricate chord patterns of my compositions, without mistake or hesitation. They are dedicated to the music of the future. I want to go on record as stating that I am.
Ignorance is evil.
My aim is to educate as many people as I can so far as the appreciation and enjoyment of good jazz music is concerned. The jazz leaders of today must prepare the way for the jazz of tomorrow. Many musicians think that most people are destined to be musically ignorant, but I know that there is a spark in every person which will respond and glow to the touch of beauty. Because I know this, I am going to continue presenting beauty to the world until I ignite that spark in people's hearts. You must prepare to live life to the fullest extent.