I thank the Creator of the universe to have discovered the discipline of music was the greatest gift that I could have been given, the possibility to be a student working in the world.

Is jazz a rhythm, or is it a vibration?

Everybody in America is angry about something.

I am interested in the study of music and the discipline of music and the experience of music and music as a esoteric mechanism to continue my real intentions.

I have learned through time that not everyone is interested in the kinds of things that fascinate me.

The word music is a convenient way to talk about what I'm interested in, but actually, in some ways, it's a limitation.

I would find myself backing away from all of the 'isms,' all of the communities. I have always been able to be misused by every community But that is OK. I would rather be misused than neglected.

My work has been marginalized as far as the jazz-business complex is concerned, or the contemporary-music complex.

I am viewed as the Negro who has gone outside of the categories assigned to me.

I know I’m an African-American, and I know I play the saxophone, but I’m not a jazz musician. I’m not a classical musician, either. My music is like my life: It’s in between these areas.

So, yes, I am in the underground, but actually, it feels like home.

The moon hung over the planet Earth, a dead thing over a dying thing.

You lied to me, ” she said. “I omitted information.” He paused. “Which may be just as deplorable.

All true Northerners should bare steel to their enemies, and stand true to the course they have chosen, for when the heart is divided by fear then the battle is already lost.

Take risks. Take chances. Don't be afraid. You gotta go into life brave.

It was so easy living day by day Out of touch with the rhythm and blues But now I need a little give and take The New York Times, The Daily News.

Meaningful stories have lots and lots of conflict. If we avoid conflict, our stories won't be meaningful.

The fault finder will find faults even in paradise and thereby miss the joys that recognition of the positives bring.

There's nothing like confidence. Your bosses will appreciate it.

What a dreadful thing it must be to have a dull father.

[The writer] wants both to do the best possible work and also to reach the largest possible audience. The result is a fairly normal condition of discouragement.