I always told the people at Cal Arts that if they wanted me to do Jazz studies, first of all, there couldn't be a big band within 500 miles and that I could do what I wanted to do. And they said I could.
Charlie HadenAs long as there are musicians who have a passion for spontaneity, for creating something thats never been before, the art form of jazz will flourish.
Charlie HadenI learned at a very young age that music teaches you about life. When you're in the midst of improvisation, there is no yesterday and no tomorrow โ there is just the moment that you are in. In that beautiful moment, you experience your true insignificance to the rest of the universe. It is then, and only then, that you can experience your true significance.
Charlie HadenI think itโs very important to live in the present. One of the great things that improvising teaches you is the magic of the moment that youโre in โฆ because when you improvise youโre in right now. Youโre not in yesterday or tomorrowโyouโre right in the moment. Being in that moment really gives you a perspective of life that you never get at any other time as far as learning about your egoโฆ You have to see your unimportance before you can see your importance and your significance to the world.
Charlie Haden