Don Ellis Music Quotations

To be a true artist you have to play the way you feel - not the way others think you should feel.

Because when we are right there is not a band in the world that can touch us!

As we see in folk music quite often, emotion transforms what might otherwise be considered 'corny' (i.e. trite, banal, sentimental) music into valid, moving art.

I got bored with the old way - it came too easy. I worked until I could play and chord changes at any tempo in any key, and then said 'What else is there?' Now I'm finding out.

It is much easier to be accepted if you play like everyone else, and you will get more jobs. It depends on where your values lie.

On those long notes behind the trumpet solo, if anyone lets his mind wander for a minute he is dead.

I expect the audience to come up to my level.

To be a true artist you have to play the way you feel not the way others think you should feel.