Cecil Taylor quotes

Sometimes when it goes really well, you wonder, "who's that at the piano?" (Cecil Taylor)

I don't expect people who listen to Emerson, Lake, and Palmer to come hear me. I accept that reality.

Cecil Taylor

Rhythm is the life of space of time danced through.

Cecil Taylor

If you take the creation of music and the creation of your own life values as your overall goal, then living becomes a musical process.

Cecil Taylor

I discovered very early that it wasn't quite enough for me to imitate people.

Cecil Taylor

You practice so you can invent. Discipline? No. The joy of practicing leads you to the celebration of the creation.

Cecil Taylor

You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you're really interested in it.

Cecil Taylor

I understand about the relative strengths of people, and I don't think people have to be anything. They can be nothin' if they want to be.

Cecil Taylor

To me, the piano in itself is an orchestra.

Cecil Taylor

The quality of life, values that go down to doin' that, that's the issue.

Cecil Taylor