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

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...

It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was...

It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was...

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've never had a relationship with a record executive. I always went to the record...

I've never had a relationship with a record executive. I always went to the record...

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,...

I've had those people very interested in my writing. Since I think of myself as...

I've had those people very interested in my writing. Since I think of myself as...

I decided, if I'm going to be poor and black and all, the least thing...

I decided, if I'm going to be poor and black and all, the least thing...

You don't have to worry about being a number one, number two, or number three....

You don't have to worry about being a number one, number two, or number three....

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...

Actually, I have another record I made with them in 1976, but I've had such...

Actually, I have another record I made with them in 1976, but I've had such...

You've got to realize. In the western world, regardless of what color you are, what...

You've got to realize. In the western world, regardless of what color you are, what...

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...

I'm having this conversation with you now. I'm talking, but I'm thinking, feeling, smelling, and...

I'm having this conversation with you now. I'm talking, but I'm thinking, feeling, smelling, and...

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...

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...

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,...

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 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...

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...