Jazz Is About The Only

Over The Years I've Had Strong Friendships With Many Priests. As A Matter Of Fact, A Group Of Christian Leaders From The National Council Of Churches Came To My House In The 1950s To Ask Me To Write Music For A Mass. I Didn't Think I Was Ready At That Time. So, In A Sense, I Guess Joining The Church And Writing The Mass Was A Culmination Of A Long Journey That Is Still Going On.

The Reality For Me Is Simple. When Music Is Written, It Is Usually Categorized As Classical. When It Is Improvised, It Can Still Be Called Classical If It Is An Inspired Improvisation. In Either Category, It Is Still Music, And It Can Be Good Or Bad Or Simply Mediocre.

The Use Of Rock, Folk, Or Pop Music Serves A Purpose. It Gets People Into The Church. But An Inexperienced Guitar Player Who Doesn't Have Much To Say, For Example, Can Make Me Wish To Leave The Church Immediately, Whereas One Great Jazz Or Classical Guitarist Can Confirm That I Will Have A Spiritual Experience In The Church.

When Things Are Going Well, I Hate To Quit.

I Knew I Wanted To Write On Religious Themes When I Was A Gi In World War Ii. I Saw And Experienced So Much Violence That I Thought I Could Express My Outrage Best With Music.