Paul Desmond citations

“I have won several prizes as the world’s slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness.”

“You're beginning to sound like a cross between David Frost and David Susskind, and that is a cross I cannot bear.”

“I could only write at the beach, and I kept getting sand in my typewriter.”

“Writing is like jazz. It can be learned, but it can’t be taught.”

“It's like living in a house where everything's painted red.”

“I tried practicing for a few weeks and ended up playing too fast.”

“I hate the way he writes. I kind of love the way he lives, though.”

“Sometimes I get the feeling that there are orgies going on all over New York City, and somebody says, `Let's call Desmond,' and somebody else says,'Why bother? He's probably home reading the Encyclopedia Britannica.”

“Not for me. If I want to tune everybody out, I just take off my glasses and enjoy the haze.”

“Well, that I'm not playing better.”

“I was unfashionable before anyone knew who I was.”