Johnny Griffin Quotations

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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