I am not afraid of European influences. The point is to use them, as Ellington did, as part of my life as an American Negro. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
The first record I made, when I listen to it, I understand. I understand perfectly well why certain musicians were unhappy with me. I… — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
Mother, being a pianist, told me how to play with my fingers on the piano. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
When I came out of the conservatory, the first thing I did was to go see Thelonious Monk. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
In short, [Coltrane's] tone is beautiful because it is functional. In other words, it is always involved in saying something. You can't separate the… — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
One of the things Mother said to me, 'You want this, you're going to practice.' And I know how to practice. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
They say, 'We will give you money, but we want you to play this or that.' And I always thought, 'If I'm going to… — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
You know what the material is so that you never play it the same way twice. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you're really interested in it. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
I'm saying that people who are enmeshed in situations of subjugation and have to live, have to find ways to project their dignity as… — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
Before he fought Billy Conn, Joe Louis said, 'He can run, but he can't hide.' That's how I feel about New York: You can… — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
What I am doing is creating a language. A different American language. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
Sometimes when it goes really well, you wonder, who's that at the piano? — Cecil Taylor Copy Share Image
![“In short, [Coltrane's] tone is beautiful because it is functional. In other words, it is always involved in saying something. You can't separate the means that a man uses to say something from what he ultimately says. Technique is not separated from its content in a great artist.” quote by Cecil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/279/cecil-taylor-20434_art_in-short-coltrane-s-tone-is-beautiful-be_358656.jpg)
