Amazing things Quote by Ray Brown
![“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)
“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' phrases in our solos. Like Lester Young, Sweets had a big influence on us musicians, especially when we play some Blues.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Jazz Legends Podcast, 2019
Sweets Edison’s unique playing style blended spoken rhythm with musical expression, profoundly influencing fellow musicians and shaping blues improvisation.
In simple terms: Sweets played with a voice-like quality that inspired many.
Key Takeaway
Study and emulate his phrasing for personal growth.
Themes
music
creativity
influence
blues
legacy
Mood
inspired
respectful
Type
musical
educational
When to use this quote
- learning a new instrument
- improvisation workshops
- studying jazz history
- recording sessions
Key Concepts
musical improvisation
artistic expression
cultural impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you incorporate his influence without copying?
- What does his approach teach about personal voice?
A Different Perspective
His style may be hard to replicate authentically, risking imitation over innovation.
![“[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)
![“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)
![“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)
![“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)
![“[Thelonious] Monk is a subject in itself. I mean, most piano players in most big bands sit down and they play with the band, you know. But Monk would just sit there like this. And all of a sudden there'd be a pause from all the trumpets and everything and Monk would go 'plink!' like that. And…” quote by Ray Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7bc/ray-brown-34220_band_thelonious-monk-is-a-subject-in-itself-i_125504.jpg)
![“I went up to his [Hank Jones'] house and there were four guys there: Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Max Roach. Not a bad place to be. Scared shitless, but a nice place to be on my second day in New York.” quote by Ray Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5ea/ray-brown-34220_bud_i-went-up-to-his-hank-jones-house-and-th_584035.jpg)
