You know the actor John Garfield? In one movie he walked up to this train station, the ticket booth, and the guy says, ‘Yes, where are you going?’ And he says, ‘I want a ticket to nowhere.’ I thought: that’s it. The freedom to do that. I want a ticket to nowhere.

Meaning of the quote

The quote is describing a scene from a movie where the actor John Garfield buys a ticket to "nowhere." The musician, Wayne Shorter, saw this and thought it was an example of true freedom - the freedom to go anywhere or do anything, without a specific destination or plan. He was inspired by the idea of having the "freedom to do that" and wanting a "ticket to nowhere" himself, which represents the freedom to go on an open-ended journey or adventure, without restrictions or a set path.

About Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter was a legendary American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, known for his innovative and influential compositions, as well as his exceptional improvisational skills. Shorter’s music has earned him numerous accolades, including 12 Grammy Awards, and he is considered a major figure in the development of jazz fusion.

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