Lee Konitz American Musician Quotations

One of the most interesting recordings I ever heard was hearing Tristano and Charlie Parker playing together. They were both at their peak.

I've played with not such great players, and found that I was inspired to play very well. I welcome every one of those opportunities.

Each of these instruments has a voice, and if I hear a sound on an instrument that I don't like, I'm not interested usually in what he plays.

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

A lot of bands were doing remotes from ballrooms around the country.

I wish that person outside would stop coughing.

It was 100 percent music. There was no ego involved, no attitudes, no black and white, it was pure music.

As soon as I play full bodied, I block out the rest of the sound. I'm just looking for the right note to fit the chords I'm hearing.

People look for a messiah all the time. And everybody is just busy doing their own thing, trying to learn how to play the music.

I stand back, sometimes, behind the rhythm section, so I don't physically look like the leader. I don't like that concept too much.