Cecil Taylor Quotes

I didn't know I was good enough to be a pro growing up.

I still can't quite believe it. Although there was something about the fact that it was a first-time writer, a first-time producer, and a first-time director all at the same time.

I never thought I would be singing for the world.

I can't believe we've got away with becoming this huge band. And we still haven't done anything I think is that good yet.

People think I must have been so talented at an early age, but I don't know - was it talent or hard work? Who knows?

I was the star of the choir.

Young conductors who are confident enough, they very often have success.

I honestly didn't expect this much attention, but it just keeps happening so I must be doing something right.

I never expected to go to Juilliard. When they came recruiting in Miami, I auditioned. I got a scholarship.

I don't know why my pictures come out looking so good. I just don't get it.

I don't know about whether I thought I would make it this big.

I think I'm a very poor piano player.

I still haven't come to grips with our success.

I really wasn't even sure if I should continue acting. I would like try and figure out if I could be good enough to do it. It was like 10 or 12 years into my career before I felt like maybe I can do it. It was such a different time than now.

I still can't believe that I've achieved what I have. It's like I've lived a dream for about five years now.

I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.

I don't know if people consider me a deep threat, but maybe I'll get there one day.

I concentrated on Rossini when I began, and I never really felt any competition. I sang in the best houses, and I believed I was always a first choice. I was lucky in a way - I never felt there was someone else who was getting the roles in another theatre and that we were competing.

My guilty fear is that what I'm doing, probably anyone could do. And that I just got a lot of lucky breaks.

I played at Sony, Warner Bros., Universal, Big Machine, Capitol... after I played every one of those places, everyone offered me a record deal. I was just like, 'Who am I? Why do I even deserve this?' There are people busting their butts on Broadway doing this hardcore, playing three hours a night for tips, and I didn't even ask for it.

No one expected me to become a champion.

I've been invited to the Grammys with other friends who were nominated. I'm like, 'Naw, I'm not gonna go until it's my time.' And who knew it was gonna be, like, the next year? It's crazy.

Hopefully, I've got rid of the question marks over whether I can play at the top level.

I did a guest episode of 'Royal Pains,' and then right after that, 'Supergirl' happened, and I was like, 'How did I get here?' Every day, I walk on set, and I'm waiting for someone to be like, 'Ma'am, you can't be here.'

I don't feel like I'm very good at making music.