--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's the thing about jazz: it's free…" description: "\"That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.\" — Billy Crystal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg" --- # That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes… ![“That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.” quote by Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg) > “That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.” [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Jazz is depicted as an unrestricted, soulful expression that flows naturally from the musician’s inner self, emphasizing authenticity and emotional depth. **In simple terms:** Jazz is free, soulful, and comes from within. Key Takeaway Allow your inner voice to guide creative expression. Themes music improvisation freedom emotion soul Mood inspired passionate Type musical philosophical When to use this quote - live performances - jam sessions - personal practice - teaching music Key Concepts Jazz improvisation authenticity creative flow Questions to Reflect On - What does “free flowing” mean to you in everyday life? A Different Perspective Can structured composition ever capture jazz’s spontaneity? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) ## Related quotes > [I don't want to do free jazz! Because free jazz - which is the musical equivalent of free marketeering - isn't actually free at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-don-t-want-to-do-free-jazz-because-free-jazz-which-is-the-musical/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [The most important thing about Jazz at Lincoln Center is the fact that it's the first time that perhaps the most important art form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-vinoly/the-most-important-thing-about-jazz-at-lincoln-center-is-the-fact/) [Rafael Vinoly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-vinoly/) > [I grew up in the funk, rock and roll, blues and r&b tradition, and I came to this thing we call jazz later. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-drake/i-grew-up-in-the-funk-rock-and-roll-blues-and-r-b-tradition-and-i/) [Hamid Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-drake/) > [“To grasp your rhythm on the dance floor gives you free flowing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/to-grasp-your-rhythm-on-the-dance-floor-gives-you-free-flowing/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Open your mind, allow your feelings to be expressed, to be pushed out, and your heart will neither break nor burst, but be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/open-your-mind-allow-your-feelings-to-be-expressed-to-be-pushed-out/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Life of Ages, richly poured, Love of God unspent and free, Flowing in the Prophet's word And the People's liberty! Never was to chosen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/life-of-ages-richly-poured-love-of-god-unspent-and-free-flowing-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [. . . the time has also come to identify and preserve free-flowing stretches of our great rivers before growth and development make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/the-time-has-also-come-to-identify-and-preserve-free-flowing/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [The letting go is an energetic process that moves us in a different flow of reality beyond the illusion and into more of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mccormick-day/the-letting-go-is-an-energetic-process-that-moves-us-in-a-different/) [Christine McCormick Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mccormick-day/) > [“How we devour one another's culture, do so without shame--ideas like water, free flowing and able to take on other forms. Able to flood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-andrew-schrecker/how-we-devour-one-another-s-culture-do-so-without-shame-ideas-like/) [J. Andrew Schrecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-andrew-schrecker/) > [“It is better to be a free flowing material than get attached to any other hard surface.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/it-is-better-to-be-a-free-flowing-material-than-get-attached-to-any/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [When I'm making a song, I try not to think about audience or genres. It's free-flowing. Natural.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kali-uchis/when-i-m-making-a-song-i-try-not-to-think-about-audience-or-genres-it/) [Kali Uchis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kali-uchis/) > [I don't use a wallet. My money is just free-flowing in my bag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-b-allen/i-don-t-use-a-wallet-my-money-is-just-free-flowing-in-my-bag/) [Christa B. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-b-allen/) > [I have been pretty free-flowing in my batting. I have not let situations change my batting around too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-karthik/i-have-been-pretty-free-flowing-in-my-batting-i-have-not-let/) [Dinesh Karthik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-karthik/) > [LoVe actually should flow,itz trueness and purity lies in free flowing rather than being guided by the mind in an organised way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandeep-shergill/love-actually-should-flow-itz-trueness-and-purity-lies-in-free/) [Sandeep Shergill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandeep-shergill/) > [“The thing in jazz that will get Bix Beiderbecke out of his bed at two o’clock in the morning, pick that cornet up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/the-thing-in-jazz-that-will-get-bix-beiderbecke-out-of-his-bed-at-two/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) ## More by Billy Crystal > [Bambi, to a kid, was scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/bambi-to-a-kid-was-scary/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [It's money. I remember it from when I was single](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/it-s-money-i-remember-it-from-when-i-was-single/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [“We tiptoe around like we’re the Frank family and the Gestapo is downstairs. The baby monitor is in our room, and the unspoken rule…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/we-tiptoe-around-like-we-re-the-frank-family-and-the-gestapo-is/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [I'd like to think there is a Heaven, and it starts from the happiest day in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/i-d-like-to-think-there-is-a-heaven-and-it-starts-from-the-happiest/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [I'm going to go on just living and laughing and loving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/i-m-going-to-go-on-just-living-and-laughing-and-loving/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [I quit drinking. That was a big problem for a lot of years. Then after that, I just started feeling grateful again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/i-quit-drinking-that-was-a-big-problem-for-a-lot-of-years-then-after/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [The house smelled of brisket and bourbon. That's the music I grew up on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/the-house-smelled-of-brisket-and-bourbon-that-s-the-music-i-grew-up-on/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [Don't give up your power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/don-t-give-up-your-power/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [Did you ever reach a point in your life, where you say to yourself, 'This is the best I'm ever going to look, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/did-you-ever-reach-a-point-in-your-life-where-you-say-to-yourself/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [I think when I feel I'm at my best is when I'm on stage, and it's my version of jazz because it's just riffing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/i-think-when-i-feel-i-m-at-my-best-is-when-i-m-on-stage-and-it-s-my/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [What's so fascinating and frustrating and great about life is that you're constantly starting over, all the time, and I love that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/what-s-so-fascinating-and-frustrating-and-great-about-life-is-that/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [ Those are all real things that I experienced, not with \[my daughters\] growing up but with the, you know - I'm trying not to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/those-are-all-real-things-that-i-experienced-not-with-my-daughters/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/whoo-hoo-hoo-look-who-knows-so-much-it-just-so-happens-that-your/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [ \[My mother\] is the greatest hero I'll ever know because she kept us all together, she made sure we all graduated college. She always… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/my-mother-is-the-greatest-hero-i-ll-ever-know-because-she-kept-us-all/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [For almost 40 years, he was the brightest star in the comedy galaxy… The beautiful light will continue to shine on us forever and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/for-almost-40-years-he-was-the-brightest-star-in-the-comedy-galaxy/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) [Explore all 98 Billy Crystal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) ## More Jazz quotes > [When you listen to someone improvise, the notes that are played are only half the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-laws/when-you-listen-to-someone-improvise-the-notes-that-are-played-are/) Hubert Laws > [I wasn't into jazz so much - I preferred things raw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/i-wasn-t-into-jazz-so-much-i-preferred-things-raw/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [Growing up in Iceland, it was very beautiful, very safe, but quite isolated. There was something about jazz music that had a way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/growing-up-in-iceland-it-was-very-beautiful-very-safe-but-quite/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [I didn't plan on rock-n-roll. I wanted to learn jazz; I got to know some people doing rock-n-roll with jazz, and I thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-krieger/i-didn-t-plan-on-rock-n-roll-i-wanted-to-learn-jazz-i-got-to-know/) [Robby Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robby-krieger/) > [Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/jazz-is-not-something-that-can-be-defined-through-blunt-instruments/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) > [Jazz is the music of the body. The breath comes through brass. It is the body's breath, and the strings' wails and moans are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/jazz-is-the-music-of-the-body-the-breath-comes-through-brass-it-is/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Bruce Katz is a spectacular talent! He's a brilliant composer and arranger who uses uncommon and unique musical intelligence to redefine jazz and blues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-coryell/bruce-katz-is-a-spectacular-talent-he-s-a-brilliant-composer-and/) [Larry Coryell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-coryell/) > [I think we've all had enough of Coltrane saxophonists. There's a case of someone ruining a generation of saxophonists, as Louis Armstrong may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bley/i-think-we-ve-all-had-enough-of-coltrane-saxophonists-there-s-a-case/) [Paul Bley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bley/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [It's bluesy, rocky jazz. I call it soul music, but it's not James Brown soul music. It comes from my soul. It comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsel-korey/it-s-bluesy-rocky-jazz-i-call-it-soul-music-but-it-s-not-james-brown/) [Tinsel Korey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsel-korey/) > [I listen to classical music very much. There's a lot of jazz that I don't enjoy listening to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-konitz/i-listen-to-classical-music-very-much-there-s-a-lot-of-jazz-that-i/) [Lee Konitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-konitz/) > [My influences are jazz, blues, European classical music; they are rock music and pop music. So many kinds of music. World music from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/my-influences-are-jazz-blues-european-classical-music-they-are-rock/) [Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/) > [Trombone virtuoso and innovative composer, Papo combines the best of jazz and Latin music to create a genre that is unique and wild. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brecker/trombone-virtuoso-and-innovative-composer-papo-combines-the-best-of/) Michael Brecker > [My roots are in classical music and jazz, and I want the freedom of being able to improvise. This freedom is possible only in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adnan-sami/my-roots-are-in-classical-music-and-jazz-and-i-want-the-freedom-of/) [Adnan Sami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adnan-sami/) [Browse all 3,027 Jazz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Billy Crystal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-flowing-it-comes-from-your-soul/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Jazz" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-flowing-it-comes-from-your-soul/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/billy-crystal-6588_jazz_that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-fl_817773.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.” — Billy Crystal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Billy Crystal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "That's the thing about jazz: it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-flowing-it-comes-from-your-soul/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/that-s-the-thing-about-jazz-it-s-free-flowing-it-comes-from-your-soul/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```