"I always told the people at Cal Arts that if they wanted me to do Jazz studies, first of all, there couldn't be a big band within 500 miles and that I could do what I wanted to do. And they said I could"

This quote by Charlie Haden speaks with his commitment to imaginative liberty as well as his need to seek his own musical passions. He wanted to take a risk as well as rock the boat by refusing to conform to the standard jazz studies program at Cal Arts. He was determined to seek his own music rate of interests and was willing to discuss with the institution to make it happen. He was confident in his capabilities and understood that he could make it function. His daring and resolution paid off, as the institution accepted his terms and also allowed him to pursue his very own music interests. This quote talks to Haden's dedication to his craft and his willingness to take threats in order to seek his own innovative vision. It is a testament to his dedication and also enthusiasm for music as well as his wish to make it his own.