I create work, and I devote myself to the creative process, and I try to stay pure in that process and be worthy of the messages that I receive. You can't sit down and write 300 compositions in a three-month period and think that you're doing it all by yourself.
John ZornI have not practiced saxophone since 1980. I mean, not one note. I do not pick it up in my house, and that's the end of it.
John ZornThe magic that you find in surf music, I think, is really timeless. You know, when I was very young, I was in a surf band. Surf music is an instrumental music that still means a lot to me, not in an nostalgic way, but as something that really gets to the heart of the guitar itself.
John ZornIโm constantly in doubt about what Iโm doing, Iโm constantly tortured, and thatโs why I say happiness is irrelevant. Happiness is for children and yuppies. Iโm not striving for happiness, Iโm trying to get some work done. And sometimes the best work is done under doubt. Constant rethinking, and reevaluating what youโre doing, working and working until you feel itโs finished. And thatโs an interesting point too, that youโve got to know when to stop. Sometimes thereโs a magical moment when everything comes together.
John Zorn