Dr Lonnie Smith

I hate straight singing. I have to change a tune to my own way of doing it. That’s all I know

I compose my pieces with a formula that I created myself.

Musicianship is using your two ears.

However it goes, I’ll just keep playing. That’s where the basic satisfaction is at.

Perhaps it is a peculiarity of mine that despite the fact that I am a professional performer, it is true that I have always preferred playing without an audience.

I am an American citizen and feel I am entitled to the same rights as any other citizen.

[on Prince] I learned about music that didn’t have any barriers or any kind of, like, containment. I learned about wild, crazy topics and ways to express yourself that had never been written in quite that way before. I learned that a human being could be able to defy all stereotypes, and be the epitome of badassness.

I hope my recordings of my own works won’t inhibit other people’s performances. The brutal fact is that one doesn’t always get the exact tempo one wants, although one improves with experience.

I think that it is important to try to sound like someone, especially early in your development.

It was in tune when I bought it.

I always wanted to be a spontaneous composer.

You’ve got to be willing to put stuff on the line, otherwise it doesn’t have much meaning.

You gotta mean it and you gotta treat it gentle.

The true artform is being a human being.

Let the music speak for itself.