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Song Quotes by Herbie Hancock

45 Song quotes by Herbie Hancock

All Song quotes Herbie Hancock’s page

Herbie Hancock says jazz is an open, inclusive space where musicians can do things differently. He believes music should serve a larger purpose, even as a metaphor for world harmony. He also notes that he sees himself first as a human being who sometimes functions as a musician.

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Jazz is about being in the moment.

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Music truly is the universal language.

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The spirit of jazz is the spirit of openness.

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Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.

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Music isn't about music, it's about life.

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I think I was supposed to play jazz.

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Being a musician is what I do, but it's not what I am.

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The music becomes something that is its own entity.

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Creativity and artistic endeavors have a mission that goes far beyond just making music for the sake of music.

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Music is not the only reason that I practice Buddhism anymore because it has affected my whole life.

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Jazz translates the moment into a sense of inspiration for not only the musicians but for the listeners.

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Music is the tool to express life - and all that makes a difference.

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“I don't look at music from the standpoint of being a musician; I look at it from the standpoint of being a…

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Miles' sessions were not typical of anybody else's sessions. They were totally unique.

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I'm aware that a lot of what is happening in jazz has not had a very dynamic change in a long time.

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Jazz is a music that is open enough to borrow from any other form of music, and has the strength to influence…

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It's not easy to play in a framework that requires simplicity and to tastefully find ways to interject the kind of freedom…

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When a human being is oppressed, the natural tendency is to feel anger. Jazz is a response to oppression that is not…

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Clare Fischer was a major influence on my harmonic concept. He and Bill Evans, and Ravel and Gil Evans, finally. You know,…

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In World War II, jazz absolutely was the music of freedom, and then in the Cold War, behind the Iron Curtain, same…

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One of the most important functions of jazz has been to encourage a hope for freedom, for people living in situations of…

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I think people have learned that Herbie Hancock can be defined as someone that you won't be able to figure out what…

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A jazz musician is not a jazz musician when he or she is eating dinner or when he or she is with…

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One thing that sticks in my mind is that jazz means freedom and openness. It's a music that, although it developed out…

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I spent five years, at least, working with Miles. Together, we recorded ESP, Nefertiti, Sorcerer -- and I can tell you; each…

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I don't mind being classified as a jazz artist, but I do mind being restricted to being a jazz artist. My foundation…

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Jazz is really about the human experience. It’s about the ability of human beings to take the worst of circumstances and struggles…

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The cool thing is that jazz is really a wonderful example of the great characteristics of Buddhism and great characteristics of the…

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Fact is that I played piano and performed, as a young kid, a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra .…

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I got a chance to work with Miles Davis, and that changed everything for me, 'cause Miles really encouraged all his musicians…

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I don't view myself as a musician anymore - I view myself as a human being that functions as a musician when…

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When I was six, my best friend's parents bought him a piano. My mother noticed that every time I would go to…

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Jazz to me is the spirit of freedom. I mean real freedom. Freedom to explore. Freedom to express. Freedom to pour out…

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One thing I like about jazz is that it emphasized doing things differently from what other people were doing.

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Jazz has been the voice of freedom for so many countries over the past half century,

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It's not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.

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Jazz has borrowed from other genres of music and also has lent itself to other genres of music.

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Oscar Peterson is the greatest living influence on jazz pianists today.

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In the past, there's always been one leader that has led the pack to development of the music.

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I started off with classical music, and I got into jazz when I was about 14 years old. And I've been playing…

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More by Herbie Hancock

You would not exist if you did not have something to bring to the table of life.

One of the greatest attributes of jazz, I think, is that it is that open.

You can practice to attain knowledge, but you can't practice to attain wisdom.

Most people define themselves by what they do - 'I'm a musician.' Then one day it occurred to me that I'm only a musician…

I don't think there are any pure Africans of the African Americans, but the African part of our history was pretty much taken away…

So in other words, we were constantly challenged to grow, and thats what a master does.

The strongest thing that any human being has going is their own integrity and their own heart. As soon as you start veering away…

Like no matter what happens, this would be the ultimate, they can make something positive happen.

There are a lot of records coming out, in every field of music, not just jazz.

I like to present something that the people haven't seen or haven't heard before. Otherwise they might as well just stay home and play…

I don't go around, the way many musicians do, with earbuds in my ear listening to my iPod all day and just sticking my…

Creativity and artistic endeavors have a mission that goes far beyond just making music for the sake of music.

The most valuable things in life are priceless. They are courage, compassion, wisdom, respect for ourselves and others, and a host of characteristics that…

Creativity shouldn't be following radio; it should be the other way around.

One thing I like about jazz is that it emphasized doing things differently from what other people were doing.