T S Monk

A Jazz musician is supposed to find his voice, find his niche and do his thing.

I think music needs to be of its time and speak to that time.

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

Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness—I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

Have you ever wondered why young people take to music like fish to water? Maybe it’s because music is fun, plain and simple.

Jazz music has got to have that thing. You have to be born with it. You can’t even buy it. If you could buy it, they’d have it at the next Newport festival.

If everyone liked what I did, I probably wouldn’t be playing anything of depth.

Jazz music today is from the head and not the heart.

To get the music the way you want it, there’s a lot of work involved.

No, working is what will keep you alive.

The music field was the first to break down racial barriers, because in order to play together, you have to love the people you are playing with, and if you have any racial inhibitions, you wouldn’t be able to do that.

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

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

I think I love it more as I get older because I keep getting better on drums, vibes and piano.

One of the things I like about Jazz, kid, is I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Do you?

I’ll be writing songs till I die. There’s just no question.