Actually, when I was in elementary school, I saw a saxophone. A band came to my school, and I saw this guy get up and play this solo. And I said, 'Oh man, what is that! That must be fantastic!'

Quote by Ornette Coleman

Topics: Ornette Coleman Quotes

I mean, if you decided to go out today and get you an instrument and...

I mean, if you decided to go out today and get you an instrument and...

I remember once, we got an interview, and he said, 'Dad, these people are writing...

I remember once, we got an interview, and he said, 'Dad, these people are writing...

No one has to learn to spell to talk, right? You see a little kid...

No one has to learn to spell to talk, right? You see a little kid...

Originally, I wanted to be a composer. I always tell people, 'I think of myself...

Originally, I wanted to be a composer. I always tell people, 'I think of myself...

It's just someone has labelled us as having a different label to do what you...

It's just someone has labelled us as having a different label to do what you...

After I left Texas and went to California, I had a hard time getting anyone...

After I left Texas and went to California, I had a hard time getting anyone...

If you decide you want to be treated good, and you treat someone else good,...

If you decide you want to be treated good, and you treat someone else good,...

All the things that human beings suffer from are how their environment treats them, and...

All the things that human beings suffer from are how their environment treats them, and...

I don't really live like a musician myself. I think music is just something that...

I don't really live like a musician myself. I think music is just something that...

That's what I was trying to say when we were talking about sound. I think...

That's what I was trying to say when we were talking about sound. I think...

So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask,'Do you want to write? Do...

So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask,'Do you want to write? Do...

To me, human existence exists on a multiple level, not just on a two-dimensional level,...

To me, human existence exists on a multiple level, not just on a two-dimensional level,...

That's why I haven't been so anxious. But now, lots of people write and say,...

That's why I haven't been so anxious. But now, lots of people write and say,...

I asked my mother could I have an instrument. She said, 'Well if you go...

I asked my mother could I have an instrument. She said, 'Well if you go...

Most of my relationships have been like that - with record companies. I've never had...

Most of my relationships have been like that - with record companies. I've never had...

I've been playing with Blackwell over 20 years. We used to play when I first...

I've been playing with Blackwell over 20 years. We used to play when I first...

I think that those elements - light and sound - are beyond democratic. They're into...

I think that those elements - light and sound - are beyond democratic. They're into...

I remember once I read a book on mental illness and there was a nurse...

I remember once I read a book on mental illness and there was a nurse...

It just makes that person feel that what his work is is going to be...

It just makes that person feel that what his work is is going to be...

Even when you write it, someone's got to play it. So if you can play...

Even when you write it, someone's got to play it. So if you can play...