After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a simple melody and have it clean and touch the reed at the proper time in the proper way.

Quote by Lee Konitz

Topics: Lee Konitz Quotes

I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The...

I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The...

In some ways Lester Young is the most complex rhythmically of any musician. He does...

In some ways Lester Young is the most complex rhythmically of any musician. He does...

I just completed a tour in Europe. I played every night. This requires traveling some...

I just completed a tour in Europe. I played every night. This requires traveling some...

A first love always occupies a special place.

A first love always occupies a special place.

I could stop and say, Well that was a D minor, G seven, but I...

I could stop and say, Well that was a D minor, G seven, but I...

A lot of bands were doing remotes from ballrooms around the country.

A lot of bands were doing remotes from ballrooms around the country.

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

Labels don't mean anything to me. I'm trying to play as passionately as I'm able...

Labels don't mean anything to me. I'm trying to play as passionately as I'm able...

I listen to classical music very much. There's a lot of jazz that I don't...

I listen to classical music very much. There's a lot of jazz that I don't...

Out of Coltrane's whole history, there are things which I think are great from all...

Out of Coltrane's whole history, there are things which I think are great from all...

You just keep playing. If someone special comes along and organizes it in a new...

You just keep playing. If someone special comes along and organizes it in a new...

Names and theoretical things don't occur to me. If they do, I'm not doing my...

Names and theoretical things don't occur to me. If they do, I'm not doing my...

Many people do think it's naive to improvise in front of paying customers. I'm not...

Many people do think it's naive to improvise in front of paying customers. I'm not...

It was 100 percent music. There was no ego involved, no attitudes, no black and...

It was 100 percent music. There was no ego involved, no attitudes, no black and...

Sound is the first thing that we tune into.

Sound is the first thing that we tune into.

I'd like to feel that whatever I play is a result of whatever I've heard.

I'd like to feel that whatever I play is a result of whatever I've heard.

I have been able to get a small audience. It's not the huge audience, but...

I have been able to get a small audience. It's not the huge audience, but...

We all learn from each other, and I never really hung out with guys in...

We all learn from each other, and I never really hung out with guys in...

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I...

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I...

Most jazz players work out their solos, at least to the extent that they have...

Most jazz players work out their solos, at least to the extent that they have...