--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't like totally free jazz, unless…" description: "\"I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by somebody like Coltrane, who did bebop and cool jazz, so he was allowed to go out there.\" — John Den..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png" --- # I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by… ![“I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by somebody like Coltrane, who did bebop and cool jazz, so he was allowed to go out there.” quote by John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png) > “I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by somebody like Coltrane, who did bebop and cool jazz, so he was allowed to go out there.” [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He expresses preference for free jazz only when performed by masters like Coltrane, who bridge styles. **In simple terms:** Free jazz is appreciated only from skilled, genre‑blending artists. Key Takeaway Explore jazz with an open mind but respect mastery. Themes music artistic standards genre creativity expertise Mood curious analytical Type musical critical When to use this quote - listening to jazz - music education - concert attendance - record collecting Key Concepts musical hierarchy genre purity personal taste Questions to Reflect On - What defines mastery in improvisational music? - Can free jazz be appreciated without prior knowledge? A Different Perspective Some listeners enjoy free jazz regardless of performer. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-jazz/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [Most of what I listen to now is mainstream jazz from 1935 right up to and including early bebop and cool jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-van-ronk/most-of-what-i-listen-to-now-is-mainstream-jazz-from-1935-right-up-to/) [Dave Van Ronk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-van-ronk/) > [“We’d already had the discussion about whether or not Jazz was allowed to move in. I said yes, of course. At least when Jazz…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/we-d-already-had-the-discussion-about-whether-or-not-jazz-was-allowed/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [For me, musicians are poets. Beethoven describes himself as a poet of tones, just like Coltrane's a poet of tempo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/for-me-musicians-are-poets-beethoven-describes-himself-as-a-poet-of/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [Don't make the mistakes I made of not taking care of myself. Please, keeps your chops cool and don't overblow. If you are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-hubbard/don-t-make-the-mistakes-i-made-of-not-taking-care-of-myself-please/) [Freddie Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-hubbard/) > [I wanted to make somebody feel like Coltrane made me feel, listening to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-wanted-to-make-somebody-feel-like-coltrane-made-me-feel-listening/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [“Jazz presumes that it would be nice if the four of us--simpatico dudes that we are--while playing this complicated song together, might somehow be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-hickey/jazz-presumes-that-it-would-be-nice-if-the-four-of-us-simpatico-dudes-2/) [Dave Hickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-hickey/) > [The numerous ecstatic traditions - including free jazz and funk - have all been great inspirations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-first/the-numerous-ecstatic-traditions-including-free-jazz-and-funk-have/) [David First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-first/) > [Hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-pareles/hearing-marilyn-crispell-play-solo-piano-is-like-monitoring-an-active/) [Jon Pareles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-pareles/) > [I visited New York in '63, intending to move there, but I noticed that what I valued about jazz was being discarded. I ran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sample/i-visited-new-york-in-63-intending-to-move-there-but-i-noticed-that/) Joe Sample > [I was very lucky, because when I was at school, I had a great music teacher who would just take out these free-jazz records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alasdair-maclean/i-was-very-lucky-because-when-i-was-at-school-i-had-a-great-music/) [Alasdair MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alasdair-maclean/) > [A way to make new music is to imagine looking back at the past from a future and imagine music that could have existed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/a-way-to-make-new-music-is-to-imagine-looking-back-at-the-past-from-a/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [The talking shows are like free jazz. I'm just gonna go out there and blow with the idea of keeping it streamlined and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/the-talking-shows-are-like-free-jazz-i-m-just-gonna-go-out-there-and/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I already experimented with free jazz in the 1960s and, in my opinion, to play free jazz, you have to be a perfect musician…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-already-experimented-with-free-jazz-in-the-1960s-and-in-my-opinion/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [I've always explored things that people find a bit more freakish, like free jazz, and I'd gotten to a point where the live music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kieran-hebden/i-ve-always-explored-things-that-people-find-a-bit-more-freakish-like/) [Kieran Hebden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kieran-hebden/) > [Footballers can be like artists when the mind and body are working as one. It is what Miles Davis does when he plays free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-thuram/footballers-can-be-like-artists-when-the-mind-and-body-are-working-as/) [Lilian Thuram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-thuram/) ## More by John Densmore > [At the risk of sounding grandiose, I will say that, to me, rock 'n' roll is sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/at-the-risk-of-sounding-grandiose-i-will-say-that-to-me-rock-n-roll/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [We were not folk-rock. We would scare people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/we-were-not-folk-rock-we-would-scare-people/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [I've been very blessed to make a living in stuff I love and am totally passionate about, music and writing. So I'm eager to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-ve-been-very-blessed-to-make-a-living-in-stuff-i-love-and-am/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The fossil fuel industry has made advocating alternative energy sources a liberal/conservative thing, and an ideological battle, when it should really be about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-fossil-fuel-industry-has-made-advocating-alternative-energy/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [When I was in my 20s I went through my testosterone phase and had a Mercedes to show that I'm rich, and they used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/when-i-was-in-my-20s-i-went-through-my-testosterone-phase-and-had-a/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [First of all, Turtle Island is the name of this continent we live on... that's right, not 'America... as in North America,' but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/first-of-all-turtle-island-is-the-name-of-this-continent-we-live-on/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [As long as there's young people, they can look to Jim to help them cut the umbilical chord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/as-long-as-there-s-young-people-they-can-look-to-jim-to-help-them-cut/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [In my old age, I've learned that if I put the right cymbal crash in the very right spot, exactly, it can be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/in-my-old-age-i-ve-learned-that-if-i-put-the-right-cymbal-crash-in/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The Stones without Mick. The Police without Sting. The Doors without Jim. It doesn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-stones-without-mick-the-police-without-sting-the-doors-without/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Fortunately, an extremely sexy, pixie-voiced blond named Ronnie Harran, who booked the Whisky, saw us...She had an ear for talent...the Whisky was finally a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/fortunately-an-extremely-sexy-pixie-voiced-blond-named-ronnie-harran/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Money is like fertiliser. When spread around, things grow; when it's hoarded, it stinks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/money-is-like-fertiliser-when-spread-around-things-grow-when-it-s/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [In the '50s, West L.A. was like Kansas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/in-the-50s-west-l-a-was-like-kansas/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [I'm not the fastest drummer in the world, but I'm very into dynamics and knowing that there's space in between the notes and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-m-not-the-fastest-drummer-in-the-world-but-i-m-very-into-dynamics/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The first drum beat we all heard was our mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-first-drum-beat-we-all-heard-was-our-mother/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Jim was Dionysus, but it took three Apollos to balance that Dionysian energy. He was a force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/jim-was-dionysus-but-it-took-three-apollos-to-balance-that-dionysian/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) [Explore all 119 John Densmore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) ## More Cool quotes > [Hats off to starting a franchise younger than we all did in 'Twilight' and keeping your cool. The 'Harry Potter' men and women had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellan-lutz/hats-off-to-starting-a-franchise-younger-than-we-all-did-in-twilight/) [Kellan Lutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellan-lutz/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [Vo5C0y Muchos Gracias for your article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serivce/vo5c0y-muchos-gracias-for-your-article-really-looking-forward-to-read/) Serivce > [What a cool job to be part of - whether it's doing lighting or acting or serving food on set. You're part of telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/what-a-cool-job-to-be-part-of-whether-it-s-doing-lighting-or-acting/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [Jail is definitely not cool. Education is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ja-rule/jail-is-definitely-not-cool-education-is/) [Ja Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ja-rule/) > [It's been really fun to see with each album when I change to see the fans of the show emulate my style and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avril-lavigne/it-s-been-really-fun-to-see-with-each-album-when-i-change-to-see-the/) [Avril Lavigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avril-lavigne/) > [My family environment wasn't cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keyshia-cole/my-family-environment-wasn-t-cool/) [Keyshia Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keyshia-cole/) > [It would be really cool to have my dad here to witness this, to see his grandchildren, to see this woman that I chose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-would-be-really-cool-to-have-my-dad-here-to-witness-this-to-see/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [To us, being the bad guys is cool, because we always root for the bad guys in the movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hanneman/to-us-being-the-bad-guys-is-cool-because-we-always-root-for-the-bad/) [Jeff Hanneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hanneman/) > [On my podcast, I got to interview Will Ferrell, Sam Hunt, Colin Cowherd - all these different names - and it was just really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-darnold/on-my-podcast-i-got-to-interview-will-ferrell-sam-hunt-colin-cowherd/) [Sam Darnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-darnold/) > [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I had always been scared of the unknown, and I think it had a lot to do with a lack of self-confidence (and wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-levy/i-had-always-been-scared-of-the-unknown-and-i-think-it-had-a-lot-to/) [Dan Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-levy/) > [There are a lot of movies about misfits that are quite cool, that kind of glamorize it on some level. I think there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-hall/there-are-a-lot-of-movies-about-misfits-that-are-quite-cool-that-kind/) [Rebecca Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-hall/) > [Rather be dead than cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/rather-be-dead-than-cool/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) Browse all 4,681 Cool quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by somebody like Coltrane, who did bebop and cool jazz, so he was allowed to go out there.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Densmore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it-s-done-by-somebody-like/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cool" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it-s-done-by-somebody-like/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/john-densmore-3925_cool_i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it_777951.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't like totally free jazz, unless it's done by somebody like Coltrane, who did bebop and cool jazz, so…” — John Densmore", "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": "John Densmore", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't like totally free jazz,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it-s-done-by-somebody-like/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-don-t-like-totally-free-jazz-unless-it-s-done-by-somebody-like/#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 } } ] } ```