D C DowDell

Play the music not the instrument.

It is better to be felt than to be heard.

Spontaneously composed music is a counterpoint that has its own rules based on a natural order and intuitive logic.

While many attempts have been made to define Jazz, what’s the point really. Jazz is to be experienced – period.

Jazz music has always made powerful statements about freedom, creativity and personal identity.

Play what you feel, feel what you play.

It’s about getting the sound to flow from your body and allowing that sound to get to the piano.

The more vulnerable and the more confused the song is, the equal and opposite effect is how I feel after having written it.

Music is the most fantastic drug there is!

Music is the tool to express life – and all that makes a difference.

There’s millions and millions of people who think Les Paul is a guitar!

Music to me is like breathing. I don’t get tired of breathing, I don’t get tired of music.

I just think swing is a matter of some good things put together that you can really pat your foot by. I can’t define it beyond that.

My music is Jazz.

Its all about finding the right note at the right place and knowing when to leave it alone.

Jazz music has got to have that thing. You have to be born with it. You can’t even buy it. If you could buy it, they’d have it at the next Newport festival.

Every day I look forward to getting with my instruments, trying new things.

Music’s a good thing, it calm the beast in the man.

For me, the Les Paul is the greatest rock ‘n’ roll guitar of all time. If you’re not playing a Gibson guitar and you’re playing this kind of music, whether it’s punk, metal or anything grounded in rock ‘n’ roll, you’re not really doing it right. I don’t think professionally I’d every play anything else. Gibson, thank you for making greatest guitars ever.

Musicianship is using your two ears.

I became a singer to sing my songs. They’re so hip who else is going to sing them?