“Never have your wallet with you onstage. It's bad luck. You shouldn't play the piano with money in your pocket. Play like you need the money.Tom Waits (to me, about 1986 or so)”

“You need to give money when someone gives you a knife. So the bad luck won't cut you. I wouldn't like it for you to be cut by the bad luck, Jimmy.”

“Pianos, unlike people, sing when you give them your every growl. They know how to dive into the pit of your stomach and harmonize with your roars when you’ve split yourself open. And when they see you, guts shining, brain pulsing, heart right there exposed in a rhythm that beats need need, need need, need need, pianos do not run. And so she plays.”

“You shouldn't play with your food. It's rude, barbaric, and there is nothing to be had but carnal gratification for the feral.”

“Ultimately, you have to not worry about people thinking you should have played him differently. You're the one playing the part so it has to be yours.”

“Not everything is about money. You didn't even say, hello. You are not your sad little wallet.”