Affinity Quote by Oscar Peterson
![“Sweets [Edison] can say more with one note than any other Jazz player alive... an approach that stresses simplicity, glorious tone, natural potency and an unmatched affinity. He is a unique stylist in our music.” quote by Oscar Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8e8/oscar-peterson-23825_affinity_sweets-edison-can-say-more-with-one-note_2661157.jpg)
“Sweets [Edison] can say more with one note than any other Jazz player alive... an approach that stresses simplicity, glorious tone, natural potency and an unmatched affinity. He is a unique stylist in our music.”
About This Quote
Source Music Review: 1972 Jazz magazine article on Oscar Peterson
Peterson’s playing is praised for its simplicity, tone, and natural power, making each note impactful.
In simple terms: Simple, powerful jazz notes.
Key Takeaway
Focus on tone and simplicity.
Themes
music
creativity
excellence
Mood
appreciative
inspired
Type
musical
critical
When to use this quote
- live performance
- recording sessions
- teaching music
Key Concepts
tone
simplicity
expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does simplicity enhance musical expression?
- What can musicians learn from this approach?
A Different Perspective
Complexity isn’t always needed for impact.
![“[Sweets Edison] was one of the greatest stylists in Jazz of all time. And on top of that, when you listen to him, you say 'yes, that's Sweets' and you automatically smile. This is really unique. He changed the way how to play this instrument.” quote by Clark Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/350/clark-terry-45807_all-time_sweets-edison-was-one-of-the-greatest-st_583353.jpg)
![“Many critics always saw and heard that my style comes from Roy Eldridge, which is true. But for many things, not only how to play the trumpet but the way to choose the notes, how to play them and how to phrase all of them, I took that from Sweets [Edison]. He really brought something new to the…” quote by Dizzy Gillespie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6a/dizzy-gillespie-18297_critics_many-critics-always-saw-and-heard-that-m_2459443.jpg)
![“The amazing thing about Sweets [Edison] was that he exactly spoke the way that he played! He was really unique, the one and only. He was one of the greatest Blues players that I ever heard and played with. Nobody can play like Sweets man, nobody! Most of us, musicians, frequently quote Sweets'…” quote by Ray Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/83c/ray-brown-34220_amazing-things_the-amazing-thing-about-sweets-edison-wa_1297205.jpg)
![“Nobody else even approaches the trumpet like [Sweets Edison] does: Never too much and always plenty. He's the greatest trumpet player to play along with singers. He exactly knows how to play with you, how to answer you about what you just sang ... On top of that, he has some great sense of humor…” quote by Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a39/ella-fitzgerald-13294_answers_nobody-else-even-approaches-the-trumpet_991999.jpg)
![“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. ... [J]ust a little theory and calculation…” quote by Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a00/nikola-tesla-1383_bees_if-he-thomas-edison-had-a-needle-to-find_97217.jpg)
