Mike Zwerin

Beiderbecke took out a silver cornet, put it to his lips and blew a phrase. The sound came out like a girl saying ‘yes.’

I don’t worry too much about the fundamentalist principles that are in almost any discussion about Jazz.

I was not prepared to play the role of singer in the camp of the warriors

If there is no dance, there is not music.

I like jazz, rock n’ roll, some hip hop – I can’t think of any music I don’t like.

In order to be honest with myself, I have to reveal more of who I am. This is a part of the improv process.

You should never be comfortable, man. Being comfortable fouled up a lot of musicians.

When I got started in New York, if you were different from Miles and Dizzy it was very difficult.

The Blues is never old.

Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.

I never have any trouble playing anything I can think of. The trouble is thinking of what to play.

I love Jazz because it has the perfect balance of discipline and freedom.

Every time I see a musician – it doesn’t matter what age – that inspires me, there’s always a secret little wish that maybe we’ll play together, because that’s how I learn and grow and so forth, you know. But hopefully there’s a lot more.

It’s important to reflect on what made Jazz so special.

The point of Jazz is, you do something and then you go on.