51 Quotes by Lee Konitz

A first love always occupies a special place.

It was 100 percent music. There was no ego involved, no attitudes, no black and white, it was pure music.

I wish that person outside would stop coughing.

I could stop and say, Well that was a D minor, G seven, but I really don't want to know that. I just want to know that there's a combination of notes that makes a sound.

After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a simple melody and have it clean and touch the reed at the proper time in the proper way.

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I wanted the clarinet.

As long as there are people trying to play music in a sincere way, there will be Jazz.

I love Indian music very much, but I haven't studied that specifically.

I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The clarinet was what we call a double.