Count Basie quotes

“If you play a tune and a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune.”

“I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, "Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here."”

“All I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel ... and that’s what I’ve been doing all my life.”

“It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story.”