... And It's Always Been A Thing

I Think I Was First Awakened To Musical Exploration By Dizzy Gillespie And Bird. It Was Through Their Work That I Began To Learn About Musical Structures And The More Theoretical Aspects Of Music.

The Real Risk Is Not Changing. I Have To Feel That I'm After Something. If I Make Money, Fine. But I'd Rather Be Striving. It's The Striving, Man, It's That I Want.

During The Year 1957, I Experienced, By The Grace Of God, A Spiritual Awakening Which Was To Lead Me To A Richer, Fuller, More Productive Life. At That Time, In Gratitude, I Humbly Asked To Be Given The Means And Privilege To Make Others Happy Through Music. I Feel This Has Been Granted Through His Grace. All Praise To God.

Working With Monk Brought Me Close To A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order. I Felt I Learned From Him In Every Way--through The Senses, Theoretically, Technically. I Would Talk To Monk About Musical Problems, And He Would Sit At The Piano And Show Me The Answers Just By Playing Them. I Could Watch Him Play And Find Out The Things I Wanted To Know. Also, I Could See A Lot Of Things That I Didn't Know About At All.

Working With Monk Is Like Falling Down A Dark Elevator Shaft.