"I cut myself off from the mainstream of jazz. It stood me in good stead later on, as a musician"

In this quote, Dave Van Ronk reflects on his decision to distance himself from the popular patterns in jazz music. By "cutting himself off from the mainstream", he suggests that he deliberately chose to not follow the popular designs and techniques that were dominating the jazz scene at the time. This decision may have been viewed as unconventional or even risky, however Van Ronk believes that it eventually benefited him as an artist. By not conforming to the mainstream, he had the ability to develop his own unique design and sound, which set him apart from other musicians and helped him stick out in the market. This quote highlights the significance of uniqueness and remaining real to oneself in the pursuit of creative expression.