“I’ve had some great ovations in my time. When people do that, they must feel something within themselves. I mean you don’t just go around waking people up to the effect of saying, ‘You know, this music is art.’ But it’s got to be art because the world has recognized our music from New Orleans, else it would have been dead today. But I always let the other fellow talk about art. ‘Cause when we was doing it, we was just glad to be working up on that stage. So for me to be still on earth to hear that word, sounds pretty good. I’m just grateful for every little iota.”
Louis Armstrong, Louis Armstrong–A Self-Portrait