Bill Evans

I always like people who have developed long and hard, particularly through introspection and a lot of dedication. I think that what they arrive at is, usually, deeper and more beautiful than the person who seems to have that ability and fluidity from the beginning.

Jazz is not a what, it is a how.

I’m believe that all people are in possession of what might be called a ‘universal musical mind.’

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.

To the person who uses music as a medium for the expression of ideas, feelings, images, or what have you; anything which facilitates this expression is properly his instrument.

A guy is influenced by hundreds of people and things, and all show up in his work. To fasten on any one or two is ridiculous. I will say one thing, though. Lennie Tristano’s early records impressed me tremendously. Tunes like ‘Tautology,’ ‘Marshmallow,’ and ‘Fishin’ Around.’ I heard the fellows in his group building their lines with a design and general structure that was different from anything I’d ever heard in jazz.

I learn something new every day.

Jazz is a work in progress. We’ll be defining traditions in Jazz for 200-300 years.

Inspiration comes from tunes you play, other musicians and your own imagination.

Jazz is one of the few things you can do in society to express yourself freely and creatively.

First of all, I never strive for identity. That’s something that just has happened automatically as a result, I think, of just putting things together, tearing things apart and putting it together my own way, and somehow I guess the individual comes through eventually.

Jazz and love are the hardest things to describe from rationale.

Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

Jazz music is the real deal.

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to retain his amateur status. It is the thought of just such a listener that excites the composer in me.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else.

I didn’t get my music together until I was 40.

Dizzy used to tell me I’m playing too hard. He’d say to not give everything. Miles told me that too.

I’m always interested in looking forward toward the future. Carving out new ways of looking at things.

I wanted to make somebody feel like Coltrane made me feel.

I have a nice car, a Mercedes. And then I have an old El Camino truck that I’m crazy about. I like to get in that truck and go up in the hills near where I live, in Vegas, and take my camera. That, to me, is Heaven, being out in nature, taking pictures of the wildlife.