Sound is the first thing that we tune into.

Quote by Lee Konitz

Topics: Lee Konitz Quotes

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...

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...

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...

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...

I wish that person outside would stop coughing.

I wish that person outside would stop coughing.

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...

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....

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.

It's very demanding to make up your own music.

It's very demanding to make up your own music.

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...

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...

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.

Bernstein grew up in my building in New York. He's a very, very fine player....

Bernstein grew up in my building in New York. He's a very, very fine player....

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

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

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 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...

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...

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...