Quotes by John McLaughlin

• The mathematics of rhythm are universal. They don't belong to any particular culture.
• You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and you could be yawning your head off when you hear them. So, it's not what you do, but the way you're doing it and in the end that's all that we have.
• The moment you start to talk about playing music, you destroy music. It cannot be talked about. It can only be played, enjoyed and listened to.
• Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.
• Interplay and interaction are the integral parts of music - they're as important as the notes.
• I find Indian music very funky. I mean it's very soulful, with their own kind of blues. But it's the only other school on the planet that develops improvisation to the high degree that you find in jazz music. So we have a lot of common ground.
• I don't have any message in the music. Music will be fine as long as you take care of yourself.
• At the risk of sounding hopelessly romantic, love is the key element. I really love to play with different musicians who come from different cultural backgrounds.
• There are two kinds of success. One is musical or artistic and the other is commercial.