My solo music - I get up onstage, I improvise and it's my improvisation. When I get up onstage with Fred Frith and Mike Patton, then we're improvising together. Then it's not my music; it's our music.
John ZornThat is a lot of the reason I do what I do, to really spread the word and spread information and turn people onto different things they may not be, y'know, aware of. That is what Naked City is certainly about
John ZornOne thing that I do ask myself when I'm in the creative process is, 'Does the world need this?'
John ZornMusic is about people for me. It's not about sounds. It's about people; it's about putting people into challenging situations. And for me, challenges are opportunities.
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