When I Was First Aware That I

The Reality For Me Is Simple. When Music Is Written, It Is Usually Categorized As Classical. When It Is Improvised, It Can Still Be Called Classical If It Is An Inspired Improvisation. In Either Category, It Is Still Music, And It Can Be Good Or Bad Or Simply Mediocre.

When I Was First Aware That I Couldn't Read Music I Didn't Know I Couldn't Read Because I Could Play The Music That Was In Front Of Me.

Over The Years I've Had Strong Friendships With Many Priests. As A Matter Of Fact, A Group Of Christian Leaders From The National Council Of Churches Came To My House In The 1950s To Ask Me To Write Music For A Mass. I Didn't Think I Was Ready At That Time. So, In A Sense, I Guess Joining The Church And Writing The Mass Was A Culmination Of A Long Journey That Is Still Going On.

If I Told You All The People That Have Secretly Told Me I've Influenced Them, You'd Never Believe It, And You'll Never See It In Print, Either.

I Knew Even If I'm A Cowboy, I'm Going To Be Involved In Jazz In Some Way.