It's an incredible dilemma to be an artist of color and to always be in denial about that, saying, 'I'm a choreographer first and then I'm black,' when in fact, that's not the case. I'm black first and then I'm… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
I thought that I would like to be affiliated with some school or institution. As time went on, I also decided on the subject that I wanted to get involved with in addition to music: it was Black Studies. — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
I was being ridiculed for going to school... But, you see, I had looked hard at the other musicians and the whole show-business scene...… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
I can take any series of numbers and turn it into music, from Bach to bebop, Herbie Hancock to hip-hop, — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
They use all of the music that I did in the '50s, '60s and the '70s behind people like Tupac and LL Cool J.… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
My work sometimes can be abstract and appear not to have a direct relationship to Afro-American concerns, but, in fact, it is based on… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
I skipped school one day to see Dizzy Gillespie, and that's where I met Coltrane. Coltrane and Jimmy Heath just joined the band, and… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
Here in Seattle, I'm the most productive I've ever been. I don't allow myself personal distractions. I'm extremely disciplined here. — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
My concerns have been about myself and not about giving something back and putting something in, even though that's been in the back of… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
It's an incredible dilemma to be an artist of color and to always be in denial about that, saying, 'I'm a choreographer first and… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
I thought that I would like to be affiliated with some school or institution. As time went on, I also decided on the subject… — Donald Byrd Copy Share Image
