I began to realize that some of the things Ornette Coleman had said about things being played three or fours ways, independently of each other, were true because Bach had also composed that way.

It's not the note you play that's the wrong note - it's the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.

Dave [Holland] plays the way he wants to play. And it's usually what's needed. You know, Dave is such a deep thinker. You can't tell him too much, else it might spoil his spirit, you know.

I've gotten hernias from drummers when they drop tempo.

I don't like to hear someone put down dixieland. Those people who say there's no music but bop are just stupid; it shows how much they don't know.

Monk taught me more about music composition than anyone else on 52nd Street.

Don't worry about playing a lot of notes. Just find one pretty one.