Charlie Haden

People ask me how could I go from country to jazz. It's been a natural convergence for me.

I just try to play music from my heart and bring as much beauty as I can to as many people as I can. Just give them other alternatives, especially people who aren't exposed to creative music.

We're here to bring beauty to the world and make a difference in this planet. That's what art forms are about.

My dad was a great guy; my mother was wonderful. I was very lucky to be around music from the time I woke up until I went to bed.

I wish I could've been friends with Charlie Parker and played with him. That's my period. I feel real close to the '40s - and actually, I was born in '37, so I was a kid singing on the radio in the '40s. But I always dreamed of going to big cities.

I always felt that I was born in the wrong era. I wanted to be friends with John Garfield, for instance.

You can't be at your full creative power if you are sedated.