D C DowDell

From hard rhythms of Be-bop, the mellow harmonies of Cool, to atonal forays of Free and the Straight Ahead delivery of Modern, it’s all Jazz.

While many attempts have been made to define Jazz, what’s the point really. Jazz is to be experienced – period.

The true musician plays what he/she hears. That cannot be a mistake.

Jazz music has always made powerful statements about freedom, creativity and personal identity.

One shouldn’t be in the habit of quoting oneself.

Play what you feel, feel what you play.

Invest yourself in everything you do. There’s fun in being serious.

You have a mentor or teacher and you learn all he can show you.

Three months. I was playing the organ for three months. It was a challenge for me in the beginning.

I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we’re here is to be a part of this process of exchange.

Jazz is the sound of surprise.

I’m always looking for ways to develop as a Jazz artist, to find different ways of using my voice.

No, working is what will keep you alive.

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.

The music scene is more competitive in the States.

If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’.

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

Jazz has borrowed from other genres of music and also has lent itself to other genres of music.

It’s part of what the blues does, to write about these things. JB Lenoir was the main one in this regard – he wrote about Korea, too, in fact. Songs that reflect these current situations – in his case, racial issues for the most part: in my case, what has happened to me, and I was in Korea.

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

If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!