Quotes: Musicians

We all feel love, and that might sound kind of corny, but I really feel that’s what joins musicians together around the world.

Both of my parents were musicians.

In 1972, I got my first electric bass and started playing the kind of instrument I play now. I found that the majority of musicians couldn’t bear that. They are not used to listening to the bass because they think the bass is in the background to support them.

Certainly one of the more common experiences in the jazz field is discovering someone new. Improvising musicians are capable of being musical travelers, voyagers. We want to join in on whatever we hear. There is a freedom to wander the musical landscape.

It was physically difficult, adjusting to wheelchair life, but I remember a great relief and happiness that I was finally getting somewhere, finding musicians to work with that were sympathetic.

I didn’t follow the standard rules of bass playing, and many musicians on many different instruments who became noteworthy for their unique or particular style did a very similar thing.

I still don’t understand the music industry that much. Everything I learned was from hanging out with rock musicians in studios. I certainly have respect for those who make music their livelihood.

I was afraid the other musicians might want to present themselves too much, though I see in the coverage I’ve received of the album that the musicians got wonderful reviews for their contributions and abilities. I think the four musicians played freely within my limits.

The record company started as an adjunct to that, to give young composers their first recorded performances; to give young musicians their first debut on a recording. These are all things that big record companies would never touch because there is no money in it!

The public is usually slow to catch on to new things, and it’s important that musicians stick to their guns and not look for that instant gratification.