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
When I came out of the conservatory, the first thing I did was to go see Thelonious Monk. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share
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
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
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
You know what the material is so that you never play it the same way twice. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share
You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you're really interested in it. — Cecil Taylor Copy Share
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
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
