Jazz Quotes

1344 Jazz quotes by 630 unique authors

I'm a spade, you're an ofay. Let's play. — Louis Armstrong
Most of the soloists at Birdland had to wait for Parker's next record in order to find out what to play next. What will they… — Charles Mingus
It (jazz) isn't like it used to be. The guys aren't together. They're all separated. Individuals now. Bird was a symbol. It was a clique,… — Charles Mingus
Those who want to know what sound goes into my music should come to NY and open their ears. — Thelonious Monk
Miles'd got killed if he hit me. — Thelonious Monk
A genius is the one most like himself. — Thelonious Monk
Just because you're not a drummer doesn't mean you don't have to keep time. — Thelonious Monk
I didn't know there were 2 ten o'clocks in a day... — Thelonious Monk
Don't bullshit' just play. — Wynton Marsalis
Some stances are just conducive to swinging. If I stand up straight for too long it's harder to swing. Plus my feet hurt. — Wynton Marsalis
This is our bandstand. If you don't want to play, get up off the instrument and leave. — Wynton Marsalis
Sustained intensity equals ecstacy. — Wynton Marsalis
The bandstand is a sacred place. — Wynton Marsalis
The Duke and Swing represent affirmation in the face of adversity. — Wynton Marsalis
Trumpet players are just belligerant, and cocky, and you know, just hard-headed. — Wynton Marsalis
But you listen to Coltrane and that's something human, something that's about elevation. It's like making love to a woman. It's about something of value,… — Wynton Marsalis
I came from an era when we didn't use electronic instruments. The bass wasn't even amplified. The sound was the sound you got. — Stan Getz
I played in rhumba bands, mickey mouse bands; all kinds of bands. — Stan Getz
Life is too full of distractions nowadays. When I was a kid we had a little Emerson radio and that was it. We were more… — Stan Getz
Records used to be documents, but now record companies want product. — Stan Getz
It's a shame that jazz is now being turned into dried fruit. It's becoming quantized, diced and defined. It's becoming an idiom. To me if… — Pat Metheny
Most guys at Berklee are going to wind up truck drivers... — Pat Metheny
And if I ever DO see [Kenny G] anywhere, at any function - he WILL get a piece of my mind, and maybe a guitar… — Pat Metheny
I have to admit that more and more lately, the whole idea of jazz as an idiom is one that I've completely rejected. I just… — Pat Metheny
Music is what you notice when it's no longer in your presence... — Pat Metheny

Who Wrote These Jazz Quotes

630 authors contributed a total of 1,344 Jazz Quotes, led by these top contributors: