You have to know composition to be a good improviser.

- Roscoe Mitchell

If you listen to nature, all the sounds are done in a confident way. I'm trying to do that.

- Roscoe Mitchell

I always try to think of a vocabulary to match different musical situations.

- Roscoe Mitchell

I've always been interested in shaping music in odd ways, with odd riffs and that's been probably something that I've continued on with my studies wi…

- Roscoe Mitchell

I like to hear melodies that go from one extreme to the next- saxophone to a bell to a whistle, for instance.

- Roscoe Mitchell

I remember times when the whole music scene was just flourishing.

- Roscoe Mitchell

I'm approaching a period in my life though where I'd like to be totally absorbed into music, doing concerts, writing something. Basically, that IS wh…

- Roscoe Mitchell

I don't like to box myself in when I'm composing.

- Roscoe Mitchell

What I try to impart to a musician is to really try to practice the instrument in a really sincere way. Learn as much about music as you possibly can…

- Roscoe Mitchell