Sometimes when we're flying or in the hotel, I might run over songs, or in the bathroom.

A lot of singers think all they have to do is exercise their tonsils to get ahead. They refuse to look for new ideas and new outlets, so they fall by the wayside... I'm going to try to find out the new ideas before the others do.

I'm very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it's a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it's because it's something I love to do.

When we were at the Apollo, Holiday was a block away. I asked her for her autograph.

I stole everything I ever heard, but mostly I stole from the horns.

She has been more famous, over a longer time span, than any other female singer.

It isn't where you came from, its where you're going that counts.

Coming through the years, and finding that I not only have just the fans of my day, but the young ones of today -- that's what it means, it means it was worth all of it.

I've had some wonderful love affairs and some that didn't work out. I don't want to dwell on that and I don't want to put people down, but I think all the fabulous places I've been, the wonderful things that have happened for me, the great people I've met -- that ought to make a story.

Every time I look down on this timeless town, whether blue or gray be her skies, whether loud be her cheers, or whether soft be her tears, more and more do I realize that...I love Paris.

Once, when we were playing at the Apollo Theater, Holiday was working a block away at the Harlem Opera House. Some of us went over between shows to catch her, and afterwards we went backstage. I did something then, and I still don't know if it was the right thing to do--I asked her for her autograph.

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.

I know I'm no glamour girl, and it's not easy for me to get up in front of a crowd of people. It used to bother me a lot, but now I've got it figured out that God gave me this talent to use, so I just stand there and sing.

The only thing better than singing is more singing.

It isn't where you came from; it's where you're going that counts.

Ella knows her way around her voice as very few people today. But there are times when she seems to be unaware there are things the human voice just doesn't do. She does them.

Did I do all right?

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do.

Music is the universal language ... it brings people closer together.

The fabulous places I've been, wonderful things that've happened, great people I've met ought to make a story.