Actually, when I was in elementary school, I saw a saxophone. A band came to my school, and I saw this guy get up and play this solo. And I said, 'Oh man, what is that! That must be fantastic!' — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask, 'Do you want to write? Do you want to improvise? Why do you want to play this instrument? What do you want to do?' — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
Jerry Garcia was one of the original American icons. He played naturally and beautifully. — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
That's why I haven't been so anxious. But now, lots of people write and say, 'I want to find out what you're doing.' So… — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
No one has to learn to spell to talk, right? You see a little kid holding a conversation with an adult. He probably doesn't… — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
I've never had a relationship with a record executive. I always went to the record company by someone that liked my playing. Then they… — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
Music has many uses and I think the most perfected use that music has is one of a healing quality. — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
Musicians tell me, if what I'm doing is right, they should never have gone to school. — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
I'm interested in music, not in my image. If someone plays something fantastic, that I could never have thought of, it makes me happy… — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
When I have them working together, it's like a beautiful kaleidoscope. — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was on to something. — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
After I left Texas and went to California, I had a hard time getting anyone to play anything that I was writing, so I… — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
I think that those elements - light and sound - are beyond democratic. They're into the creative part of life. — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
I don't really live like a musician myself. I think music is just something that I do, but I'd like to be doing lots… — Ornette Coleman Copy Share Image
