It’s not the huge audience, but it’s enough to make it possible to play. I appreciate that. — Lee Konitz
Out of coltrane’s whole history, there are things which I think are great from all the periods. — Lee Konitz
I could stop and say, well that was a d minor, g seven, but I really don’t want to know that. — Lee Konitz
Benny goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That’s why I wanted the clarinet. — Lee Konitz
I listen to classical music very much. There’s a lot of jazz that I don’t enjoy listening to. — Lee Konitz
It was 100 percent music. There was no ego involved, no attitudes, no black and white, it was pure music. — Lee Konitz
Most jazz players work out their solos, at least to the extent that they have a very specific vocabulary. — Lee Konitz
We all learn from each other, and I never really hung out with guys in that way, so I missed out. — Lee Konitz
Names and theoretical things don’t occur to me. If they do, I’m not doing my real playing mode. — Lee Konitz
After playing now for 60 years, it’s still very challenging for me to play a simple melody — Lee Konitz
As long as there are people trying to play music in a sincere way, there will be some jazz. — Lee Konitz
