Bill Evans

I believe in things that are developed through hard work. I always like people who have developed long and hard, especially through introspection and a lot of dedication. I think what they arrive at is usually a much deeper and more beautiful thing than the person who seems to have that ability and fluidity from the beginning. I say this because it’s a good message to give to young talents who feel as I used to.

I went through a lot of mental pains and anguish about choosing between jazz and classical. I realized that where I functioned was where I should be, and where I functioned was in jazz, so that was it.

I’m believe that all people are in possession of what might be called a ‘universal musical mind.’

Words are the children of reason and therefore can’t translate the feeling of Jazz because they’re not part of it.

Jazz is not a what, it is a how.

It’s performing without any really set basis for the lines and the content as such emotionally or, specifically, musically. And if you sit down and contemplate what you’re going to do, and take five hours to write five minutes of music, then it’s composed music. Therefore I would put it in the classical or serious, whatever you want to call it, written-music category. So there’s composed music and there’s jazz. And to me anybody that makes music using the process that we are using in Jazz, is playing Jazz.

The day of the great jazz improviser who doesn’t know how to read music is over.

Forget about upholding the tradition and just play who you really are.

Listening to the Fifth Symphony of Ralph Vaughan Williams is like staring at a cow for 45 minutes.

The Blues? It’s the mother of American music. That’s what is is – the source.

Trios offer simple instrumentation, but the orchestral possibilities are so profound.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

The music scene is more competitive in the States.

Jazz Improvisation means that practice is not as straightforward as it would be when you simply have a score to play.

I love it when people hear my music but can’t figure out what instrument I’m playing.

You can have tone and technique but without originality you ain’t really nowhere. Gotta be original.

I have a lot of albums yet to do.

Hell is full of musical amateurs.

You can cage the singer but not the song.

It’s easier to copy someone else than to find out how to avoid sounding like someone else.

You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and be yawning your head off.