top of page

Jazz Quotes

GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I'm a freak, everything has to be totally flat when I play. Ed Will, my jazz teacher, set up everything completely flat, and then you'd tilt your snare drum away from you, so I do that too. So my snare tilts away from me."
Travis Barker
"I'm a freak, everything has to be totally flat when I play. Ed Will, my jazz teacher, set up everything completely flat, and then you'd tilt your snare drum away from you, so I do that too. So my snare tilts away from me."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"You need better technique than I have to play jazz, but what you have to do is the same thing, isn't it?"
Charlie Watts
"You need better technique than I have to play jazz, but what you have to do is the same thing, isn't it?"
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"The old jazz singers or old blues singers, you always just saw them kind of sitting down and singing. They weren't worried as much about their voice sounding perfect. They would make the song kind of fit their voice."
Lucinda Williams
"The old jazz singers or old blues singers, you always just saw them kind of sitting down and singing. They weren't worried as much about their voice sounding perfect. They would make the song kind of fit their voice."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"There's a certain phraseology involved in jazz, and I've moved away from that."
Jan Garbarek
"There's a certain phraseology involved in jazz, and I've moved away from that."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Well, actually, I don't consider myself a jazz legend or anything."
Joseph Jarman
"Well, actually, I don't consider myself a jazz legend or anything."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I like a lot of electronica. I like older jazz rather than newer."
Greg Ginn
"I like a lot of electronica. I like older jazz rather than newer."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Clifford Brown was in the jazz circles considered to be probably the greatest trumpet player who ever lived."
Herb Alpert
"Clifford Brown was in the jazz circles considered to be probably the greatest trumpet player who ever lived."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
21
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I've been saying for almost 20 years that I need to do a jazz project and it ought to be either big band or I should do some jazz songs with a trio or quartet."
Al Jarreau
"I've been saying for almost 20 years that I need to do a jazz project and it ought to be either big band or I should do some jazz songs with a trio or quartet."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
20
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Rock and roll mainly but I can play passable jazz also."
Suzi Quatro
"Rock and roll mainly but I can play passable jazz also."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
20
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I think jazz is a wonderful learning tool."
John Otto
"I think jazz is a wonderful learning tool."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
20
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I was totally into jazz in my teens."
Andy Summers
"I was totally into jazz in my teens."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
20
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"My main influences have always been the classic jazz players who sang, like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole and Jack Teagarden."
Mose Allison
"My main influences have always been the classic jazz players who sang, like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole and Jack Teagarden."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
19
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Well, I had started a program which is even longer running than this one in 1967 which was a jazz program called The Best of Jazz and that still goes out on Monday nights. That's been going for 33 years or something."
Humphrey Lyttelton
"Well, I had started a program which is even longer running than this one in 1967 which was a jazz program called The Best of Jazz and that still goes out on Monday nights. That's been going for 33 years or something."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
19
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"To most jazz critics I was basically Kenny G."
Herbie Mann
"To most jazz critics I was basically Kenny G."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
19
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing."
Oscar Peterson
"Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
19
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Jazz was more of a tool for me to use to enhance my musicality."
John Otto
"Jazz was more of a tool for me to use to enhance my musicality."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
19
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"The iconoclastic mode, that specific mode of language, there is an element of it that it is punk - that is confrontational. That's just a part of the language of jazz - at a certain point."
Matthew Shipp
"The iconoclastic mode, that specific mode of language, there is an element of it that it is punk - that is confrontational. That's just a part of the language of jazz - at a certain point."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that."
Pat Metheny
"Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I have a bachelor's and a master's in jazz."
Jon Secada
"I have a bachelor's and a master's in jazz."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"My roots and Victor's are jazz, basically, but these two young fellows that we have with us come out of rock bands. And they're tremendously exciting players."
Chico Hamilton
"My roots and Victor's are jazz, basically, but these two young fellows that we have with us come out of rock bands. And they're tremendously exciting players."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I've played with all of the heavyweights in the modern jazz, progressive jazz movement. I've been fortunate enough to play with them, a who's who. All of those guys, I've been fortunate enough to have performed with."
Sonny Rollins
"I've played with all of the heavyweights in the modern jazz, progressive jazz movement. I've been fortunate enough to play with them, a who's who. All of those guys, I've been fortunate enough to have performed with."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"If there was no black man there would be no Rock'n'Roll. The beat, the rhythms of Africa are what created Rock'n'Roll and Jazz."
Ray Manzarek
"If there was no black man there would be no Rock'n'Roll. The beat, the rhythms of Africa are what created Rock'n'Roll and Jazz."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I don't want to sound as if I'm doing something tremendously special. But I am a jazz fan."
Norman Granz
"I don't want to sound as if I'm doing something tremendously special. But I am a jazz fan."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
18
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I was a jazz major in high school, in an all-jazz band. No matter what I do, it features my musical influences."
Wyclef Jean
"I was a jazz major in high school, in an all-jazz band. No matter what I do, it features my musical influences."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
17
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Once you start collecting records you learn more and more about jazz and blues."
John Mayall
"Once you start collecting records you learn more and more about jazz and blues."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
17
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I've always wanted to record a jazz record. I did one in the '70s with Barbara Carroll. It's been a journey."
Rita Coolidge
"I've always wanted to record a jazz record. I did one in the '70s with Barbara Carroll. It's been a journey."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
17
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Well I went to New Orleans to cover the jazz festival for Trio, it's this new arts channel, it's really great."
Amy Sedaris
"Well I went to New Orleans to cover the jazz festival for Trio, it's this new arts channel, it's really great."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
17
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I don't know who's 18 years old today that, 20 years hence, is going to be a jazz fan."
Norman Granz
"I don't know who's 18 years old today that, 20 years hence, is going to be a jazz fan."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
17
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"The blues is the foundation, and it's got to carry the top. The other part of the scene, the rock 'n' roll and the jazz, are the walls of the blues."
Luther Allison
"The blues is the foundation, and it's got to carry the top. The other part of the scene, the rock 'n' roll and the jazz, are the walls of the blues."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
17
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"In 1994, I started touring again and I recorded two albums for Chesky Jazz."
Chuck Mangione
"In 1994, I started touring again and I recorded two albums for Chesky Jazz."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
16
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I don't know if I have enough guts to do a whole standard jazz record."
Gary Cherone
"I don't know if I have enough guts to do a whole standard jazz record."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
16
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"If you play jazz, then you play with your fingers. If you're playing rock, you use a pick. There's really no rhyme or reason to that other than that's just the way it has been."
Kevin Eubanks
"If you play jazz, then you play with your fingers. If you're playing rock, you use a pick. There's really no rhyme or reason to that other than that's just the way it has been."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
16
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I stayed with them for about a year up there and, at night, worked over in Long Island at a club called The High Hat Club which was like a pseudo jazz / blues place."
William Bell
"I stayed with them for about a year up there and, at night, worked over in Long Island at a club called The High Hat Club which was like a pseudo jazz / blues place."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I wanted to make a jazz record. I didn't want it to be a standards record."
Rita Coolidge
"I wanted to make a jazz record. I didn't want it to be a standards record."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I think jazz is good, but I don't enjoy it. It's not for me."
Ted Rall
"I think jazz is good, but I don't enjoy it. It's not for me."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Jazz was uplifted by what I did."
Norman Granz
"Jazz was uplifted by what I did."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I haven't a great jazz band, and I don't want one."
Glenn Miller
"I haven't a great jazz band, and I don't want one."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I'm not going to play funk licks on a jazz album. That makes no sense."
Branford Marsalis
"I'm not going to play funk licks on a jazz album. That makes no sense."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"That's the exact concept behind the music: to take that kind of, I guess whatever you want to call it, jazz sensibility - but not have it be about solos."
Charlie Hunter
"That's the exact concept behind the music: to take that kind of, I guess whatever you want to call it, jazz sensibility - but not have it be about solos."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
15
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I can turn on some jazz guitarist, and he won't do a thing for me, if he's not playing electrically. But Jeff Beck's great to listen to."
Ritchie Blackmore
"I can turn on some jazz guitarist, and he won't do a thing for me, if he's not playing electrically. But Jeff Beck's great to listen to."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Tone on jazz guitars is a real tough issue."
Mark White
"Tone on jazz guitars is a real tough issue."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"One of the things I like about jazz, kid, is I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you?"
Bix Beiderbecke
"One of the things I like about jazz, kid, is I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you?"
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"All the classic jazz players all sang and a lot of 'em sang blues."
Mose Allison
"All the classic jazz players all sang and a lot of 'em sang blues."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I like a very dark house, just black. I sit there and just think. Once I'm still and quiet inside, I'll begin. It's very personal; it has to be. One song may be Bach, the next blues, a song from TV, or a nursery rhyme or jazz piece."
Bobby McFerrin
"I like a very dark house, just black. I sit there and just think. Once I'm still and quiet inside, I'll begin. It's very personal; it has to be. One song may be Bach, the next blues, a song from TV, or a nursery rhyme or jazz piece."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"Most of what I listen to now is mainstream jazz from 1935 right up to and including early bebop and cool jazz."
Dave Van Ronk
"Most of what I listen to now is mainstream jazz from 1935 right up to and including early bebop and cool jazz."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I was exposed to jazz early on."
Mark White
"I was exposed to jazz early on."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"It seems that jazz is more cerebral and more mathematical in a sense."
Rita Coolidge
"It seems that jazz is more cerebral and more mathematical in a sense."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
13
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"I suppose subconsciously I was thinking in terms of having the scale of it matching the scale of the images. Hence the sort of string quartet, jazz band and electronic stuff."
Jonny Greenwood
"I suppose subconsciously I was thinking in terms of having the scale of it matching the scale of the images. Hence the sort of string quartet, jazz band and electronic stuff."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
13
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore."
Branford Marsalis
"It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
13
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
"For years, Jazz At The Philharmonic albums were the only ones of their kind."
Norman Granz
"For years, Jazz At The Philharmonic albums were the only ones of their kind."
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
13
bottom of page