Cecil Taylor Quotes

Powerful Cecil Taylor for Daily Growth

About Cecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor (1929-2018), an American jazz pianist, composer, and poet, was a pivotal figure in the avant-garde music scene. Born on March 11, 1929, in Queens, New York City, he grew up immersed in music from various cultures, which significantly influenced his unique style. At the age of three, Taylor started learning classical piano under the tutelage of his mother, Sarah Allen. His musical education was further enriched by attending the High School of Music & Art and Juilliard School. However, it was not until he heard Charlie Parker perform live that Taylor was inspired to delve into jazz. Taylor's career took off in the late 1950s when he began performing with musicians like Ornette Coleman, Steve Lacy, and Buell Neidlinger. In 1960, he released his debut album "Jazz Advance" on Blue Note Records. This was followed by a series of influential albums such as "Unit Structures" (1966) and "Conquistador!" (1974), which showcased Taylor's groundbreaking improvisational techniques, complex compositions, and the use of extended techniques on the piano. Throughout his career, Taylor was known for his unpredictable performances, often characterized by rapid tempo changes, dissonant chords, and intricate polyrhythms. His work transcended traditional jazz boundaries, merging elements of classical music, free jazz, and even poetry recitation into his compositions. In addition to his musical contributions, Taylor was a prolific poet. He published several books of poetry throughout his life, including "The Great Family: A Poem about Sam Charters" (1976) and "Carts for the Wild Suns" (2003). Cecil Taylor's innovative approach to music, along with his relentless exploration of new sounds and ideas, cemented his legacy as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century jazz. He passed away on April 5, 2018, leaving behind a rich musical heritage that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I play the piano like I play basketball: I improvise."

This quote suggests that, for both playing the piano and basketball, Cecil Taylor approaches each activity with a spontaneous and improvisational style. Just as in basketball, he makes quick decisions on the fly based on the situation at hand, similarly, while playing the piano, he creates music without following predetermined structures or rules, allowing him to express his unique voice and creativity in the moment.

"Improvisation is not just playing notes as they come to you; it's more than that, it's a whole concept of living and feeling."

This quote suggests that improvisation in music for Cecil Taylor extends beyond merely playing random notes. Instead, it embodies a broader philosophy of life and emotional expression. In essence, he views improvisation as a way to fully live and feel, encapsulating the spontaneity, creativity, and vulnerability inherent in both musical performance and life itself.

"The most important thing in life is to be able to enjoy the simple things - like breathing, food, music, love, and happiness."

This quote by Cecil Taylor emphasizes the significance of appreciating life's basic pleasures. It encourages us to find joy in essential aspects of existence such as breathing, savoring food, experiencing music, expressing and receiving love, and overall happiness. In essence, it suggests that we should cherish these simple moments, as they contribute to a richer, more fulfilling life experience.

"Jazz is not just music, it's a way of life; it's a philosophy; it's an approach to being alive."

This quote by Cecil Taylor encapsulates the profound impact jazz has on its practitioners and audiences beyond mere melodies and rhythms. It suggests that jazz, as a unique art form born from the African-American experience, embodies a way of life, a philosophy, and an approach to living. In essence, playing jazz is not just about performing notes but also about expressing deep emotional truths, embodying resilience in the face of adversity, embracing improvisation as a metaphor for navigating the complexities of existence, and celebrating community, collaboration, and individuality. Thus, it transcends the boundaries of music to become a way of understanding life's challenges and joys.

"I don't think in terms of technique or style. I think in terms of feeling, emotion, the human spirit."

This quote by Cecil Taylor emphasizes that his approach to music is not based on technicalities or adhering to a specific style. Instead, he focuses on the emotional and human dimensions of his work. He believes that music should resonate with the deep-seated feelings and spirit of humanity, rather than being confined by technical prowess or stylistic norms alone. This perspective underscores an artistic pursuit driven primarily by emotion and the essence of the human experience.

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 human beings - in spite of all the efforts of those around them to degrade them - I'm saying that this music is the manifestation of the dignity in the life that has always been present.

- Cecil Taylor

Project, Been, Around, Spite

When I came out of the conservatory, the first thing I did was to go see Thelonious Monk.

- Cecil Taylor

Go, Monk, Out, Conservatory

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

- Cecil Taylor

Music, Must, About, Preconceptions

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

Think, Want, Strengths, Nothin

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 run from it, but you can't hide.

- Cecil Taylor

New, Joe, Billy, None

When you think about musicians who are reading music, my contention has always been the energy that you're using deciphering what the symbol is is taking away from the maximum creative energy that you might have had if you understood that it's but a symbol.

- Cecil Taylor

Away, Been, Symbol, Understood

Fats - very funny man, but every note that he played was like a pearl.

- Cecil Taylor

Like, Very, Note, Fats

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 do that, I might as well go back and be a dishwasher.'

- Cecil Taylor

Play, Give, Always, Dishwasher

To me, the piano in itself is an orchestra.

- Cecil Taylor

Me, Piano, Itself, Orchestra

The emphasis in each piece is on building a whole, totally integrated structure. In doing this, we try to carry on - in ensemble as well as solo sections - the mood of a jazz soloist. I mean that principle of kinetic improvisation that keeps a jazz solo building.

- Cecil Taylor

Doing, Mood, Principle, Structure

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

Goal, Process, Living, Creation

Find one note on the instrument that pleases you, and then find another note that also pleases you.

- Cecil Taylor

Find, Another, Note, Pleases

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

- Cecil Taylor

Me, Discovered, Very, Imitate

Someone once asked me if I was gay. I said, 'Do you think a three-letter word defines the complexity of my humanity?' I avoid the trap of easy definition.

- Cecil Taylor

Think, Easy, Complexity, Defines

Lena Horne - when she walked onstage, she really was Erzulie.

- Cecil Taylor

She, Onstage, Really, Walked

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

- Cecil Taylor

Values, Go, Issue, Quality

Mother, being a pianist, told me how to play with my fingers on the piano.

- Cecil Taylor

Mother, Play, How, Piano

I've always tried to be a poet more than anything else. I mean, professional musicians die.

- Cecil Taylor

Die, More, Always, Poet

I am not afraid of European influences. The point is to use them, as Ellington did, as part of my life as an American Negro.

- Cecil Taylor

My Life, Use, European, Influences

When you play, when you perform, it might be for the last time, so you got to do it.

- Cecil Taylor

Play, Last, Might, Last Time

Rhythm is the life of space of time danced through.

- Cecil Taylor

Time, Through, Rhythm, Danced

The first record I made, when I listen to it, I understand. I understand perfectly well why certain musicians were unhappy with me. I had to decide: was I unhappy with me? I liked it. If they didn't like it, it was on them.

- Cecil Taylor

Like, Made, Perfectly, Musicians

One of the things Mother said to me, 'You want this, you're going to practice.' And I know how to practice.

- Cecil Taylor

Practice, Want, Going, One Of The Things

You know what the material is so that you never play it the same way twice.

- Cecil Taylor

Play, Never, Twice, Material

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