First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my read more

First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.

Modern jazz: Variations on a non-existent theme

Modern jazz: Variations on a non-existent theme

It's been very important throughout my career that I've met all the guys I've copied, because at each stage they've read more

It's been very important throughout my career that I've met all the guys I've copied, because at each stage they've said, "Don't play like me, play like you.".

It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole read more

It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

Creation is a drug I can't do without.

Creation is a drug I can't do without.

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you read more

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.

I think one of the reasons I'm popular again is because I'm wearing a tie. You have to be different.

I think one of the reasons I'm popular again is because I'm wearing a tie. You have to be different.

The good ideas are all hammered out in agony by individuals, not spewed out by groups.

The good ideas are all hammered out in agony by individuals, not spewed out by groups.

All profoundly original art looks ugly at first.

All profoundly original art looks ugly at first.