As an improvising musician, I am not in the music business, I am not in the creativity business; I am in the surrender business.

If I "try" to play, I fail; if I force the play, I crush it; if I race, I trip. Any time I stiffen or brace myself against some error or problem, the very act of bracing would cause the problem to occur. The only road to strength is vulnerability.

The most potent muse of all is our own inner child.

Creativity can replace conformity as the primary mode of social being. . . . We can cling to that which is passing, or has already passed, or we can remain accessible to-even surrender to-the creative process, without insisting that we know in advance the ultimate outcome for us, our institutions, or our planet. To accept this challenge is to cherish freedom, to embrace life, and to find meaning.

If a creative person has a sense of humor, a sense of style and a certain amount of stubbornness, he finds a way to do what he needs to in spite of the obstacles.

The conception, composition, practice, and performance of a piece of music can blossom in a single moment.

As an improvising musician, I am not in the music business, I am not in the creativity business; I am in the surrender business.