Chick Corea

The sound of the orchestra is one of the most magnificent musical sounds that has ever existed.

It’s very difficult for me to dislike an artist. No matter what he’s creating, the fact that he’s experiencing the joy of creation makes me feel like we’re in a brotherhood of some kind… we’re in it together.

I got a chance to listen to and watch Thelonious Monk and his quartet play two shows a night, for six weeks. It was a great education. There was my university, man.

Art is a subject that is inundated with opinions. In fact, that’s all it is about is opinions.

It’s difficult for me to dislike an artist, no matter what he’s creating.

The fact that an artist is experiencing the joy of creation makes me feel like we’re in it together.

I try stuff. I synthesize what’s of value with some of the other things I have at my disposal.

For me, the most important thing is the element of chance that is built into a live performance. The very great drawback of recorded sound is the fact that it is always the same. No matter how wonderful a recording is, I know that I couldn’t live with it–even of my own music–with the same nuances forever.

Jazz is something you have to feel, something you have to live.

If a player is pushing their ability, a certain amount of failure is inevitable. Maybe even desirable.

In my world, the first thing I reach for is the sound.

I do not wear my emotions on my sleeve; I write about them.

[Ben Taylor] He is an interesting combination of the two of us. His voice box is more like mine but the way his tongue sits in his mouth, and the way he pronounces words, is just like James Taylor.

My fans are the best in the world! They’ve grown up with me and stayed with me through this entire journey.

If there is no dance, there is not music.

I felt like I was making a record under the radar, and that is my favorite way to do anything.

There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.

I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.

One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.

I have no one style.

If you’re gonna sing meaningful songs, you have to be committed to living a life that backs that up.