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

Quote by Lee Konitz

Topics: Lee Konitz Quotes

As long as there are people trying to play music in a sincere way, there...

As long as there are people trying to play music in a sincere way, there...

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...

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...

I wish that person outside would stop coughing.

I wish that person outside would stop coughing.

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

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

A first love always occupies a special place.

A first love always occupies a special place.

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...

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...

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...

I love Indian music very much, but I haven't studied that specifically.

I love Indian music very much, but I haven't studied that specifically.

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

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...

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...

After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a...

After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a...

Sound is the first thing that we tune into.

Sound is the first thing that we tune into.

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...

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 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...

I always felt as a horn player, a jam session wasn't satisfying enough for me....

I always felt as a horn player, a jam session wasn't satisfying enough for me....

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...