George Shearing Quotes

25 quotes in 380 categories

• I always tell people, it took me 10 minutes and 35 years in the business. I get tired of playing it ["Lullaby of Birdland"], but…
• When people ask me how is it I was a musician, I facetiously say that I'm a firm believer in reincarnation and in a previous…
• Can anybody be given creativity? No. Only equipment to develop it if it's in them in the first place.
• Teddy Wilson, I think, said a little while ago that its much easier to come in and play whatever comes into your mind, without obeying…
• Perfect retention. I dont think I could do that-Ive never disciplined myself to do it.I suppose a lot of it is a question of discipline.…
• If you establish an identity, you build a monster-and thats right, youve got to live with it. Of course, you can enjoy it, too.
• Learn the rules and then break them in such a way as to exercise good taste.
• We're travelling for about nine-and-a-half months a year.
• When Hank Jones had his night off, I would get somebody to take my place as intermission pianist and I'd play the show with Ella,…
• The way it works: The orchestra plays a few selections of its own and I terminate the first part of the programme on piano, usually…
• I was born in London in 1919. I first went to America in 1946 for a three-month holiday. Then I came back, worked here for…
• My affiliation with England is borne out by the fact that I do come back for periodic visits.
• All my musical foundations go back to the age of 3. My family tell me that I used to listen to the old crystal set,…
• I studied with a blind teacher from about 5 until I was 16, at two different schools. From the age of 12 until 16, I…
• Can anybody be given a great degree of creativity? No. They can be given the equipment to develop it-if they have it in them in…
• In Braille you write your flat sign first and then your note.
• Having a set, popular formula does inhibit you.
• I don't like freedom jazz - I think it's void of roots and void of foundation.
• I don't think you can contrive any sound.
• I haven't written an awful lot recently, but I think I probably will start again very shortly. Being so much on the road, when you…

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