Bruce Johnson

The way a band works is a metaphor for all sorts of collaborative and larger enterprises that people do.

For me, the main thing is spontaneity and taking chances.

I really feel like I made it a great record. I really feel good about it. In this day and age to make a record that you say, ‘This is different,’ that’s a tough nut. I did it by accident but it got done. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know how to do it.

You have to pack as much as you can in an hour or 70 minutes. This time around it was 15 songs, so it was a challenge to get them all the right length so you could get them all on.

Is there a meaning to music? Yes. Can you state in so many words what the meaning is? No.

A good quartet is like a good conversation among friends interacting to each other’s ideas.

I was always exposed to music. Mom and dad would have the radio on constantly.

My dream is to do whatever I want without any interference from the record company.

It’s not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.

I compulsively reach for perfection in music, often at the expense of everything else in my life.

Sounds of daily life are musical. I try to absorb the intricacies of sounds as if I were listening to music.

I prefer no one to teach me. I prefer to swing on my own.

Music to me is like breathing. I don’t get tired of breathing, I don’t get tired of music.

It is better to be felt than to be heard.

Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it’s disposable.