- Rick Valentine: What are you trying to do, kill me or what? Look, important people are coming to see if I still have it! My career, my life is on the line! Now you do something or I'm gonna walk!
- Aaron Wohl: Damn right I'm mad. I love music more than life and was given a second-rate talent, while he is handed a one in a million gift - a one in a million gift! - which he shits on!
- Gil Macrae: Can I help it if I don't wanna play? Can I help it?
- Gil Macrae: You know it's a resort: lots of girls.
- Laura Macrae: And you so dashing, playing your golden horn.
- Gil Macrae: Maybe I'll keep right on playing.
- Laura Macrae: Like you would've if you hadn't met me?
- Gil Macrae: That's not what I meant.
- Laura Macrae: Yes it is, and I'm going to tell you something: if you really think you sold your soul by going to work for my father, then why don't you look up that famous bandleader who heard you sit in at Eddie Condon's and tell him you accept his offer? If you're not serious, then drop it once and for all, because I have had it up to here!
- George Pappas: When was the last time you did something you really wanted? I mean something that truly pleased yourself? In my case, if I answered truthfully, not for 25 years. If my doctor called me, said the x-rays were a mistake, there was nothing wrong with me, I wouldn't let anything keep me from going up there. Not anything. Good night.
- Gil Macrae: I tell you I'm going away for two weeks and all you have to say is, "It sounds like fun"?
- Laura Macrae: Would you prefer tears and hysterics, which outside of relieving your guilt, would accomplish nothing?
- Gil Macrae: Practical to a fault.
- Laura Macrae: That's me.
- George Pappas: You guys are a bunch of Class-A schmucks. I mean, take it from a charter member who, like most of you, has spent his life doing for other people: wife, kids, friends, in-laws, people in need. I can never do enough - except for myself. These four hours with you guys every week, it's the high point. It's the happiest time in my life.
- Jack Larmon: What big bands?
- Wilson: Oh, I was with Basie for a year. Toured the Far East with Goodman. Played with Ellington, Hampton, you name it.
- Aaron Wohl: We're in the presence of royalty!
- Arthur Winslow: Why is he playing with us? Why are you playing with us?
- Wilson: Got a wife and two kids and I haven't worked in a month.
- Jack Larmon: Did you call the police?
- Abe Mitgang: Are you crazy?
- Jack Larmon: A man has been assaulted!
- Abe Mitgang: I call the police, a man's gonna be murdered - me!
- Wilson: Welcome to the wonderful world of music.