Home / Authors / Yusef Lateef Biography

Yusef Lateef

Yusef Lateef Biography

Multi-instrumentalist

Yusef Lateef, born on October 9, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio, was a distinguished American jazz saxophonist, composer, and music educator. His musical career spanned over half a century, and he is renowned for his unique musical style and contributions to jazz.

Yusef Lateef, born on October 9, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio, was a distinguished American jazz saxophonist, composer, and music educator. His musical career spanned over half a century, and he is renowned for his unique musical style and contributions to jazz.

Related Quotes

“When the soul looks out of its body, it should see only beauty in its path. These are the sights we must hold in mind, in order to move to a higher place.”

Should Mind Looks Soul Body Moving Order Path Higher Sight

Author:Yusef Lateef

“I started in high school with a teacher there. I also took lessons at the Conservatory of Music in Detroit. Detroit was very motivating. There were a lot of local people who inspired me like Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers, Roy Brooks, Donald Byrd, etc.”

People School Teacher Lessons High School Inspired Locals Etc Chamber Detroit Brooks Kenny Conservatory

Author:Yusef Lateef

“I started to study the flute in 1951. The flute has been utilized by African-American musicians as far back as the early Twenties. If you take a look at some of the old pictures of Chick Webb, then you will see the flute right there on the bandstand among the woodwinds.”

Ifs Looks Has Beens Study Musician Twenties African American Chicks Flutes Old Picture

Author:Yusef Lateef

“External instruments are only extensions of the biological instrument.”

Music Instruments Jazz Musical Extensions

Author:Yusef Lateef

“Each culture has some knowledge. That's why I studied with Saj Dev, an Indian flute player. That's why I studied Stockhausen's music. The pygmies' music of the rain forest is very rich music. So the knowledge is out there. And I also believe one should seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. With that kind of inquisitiveness, one discovers things that were unknown before.”

Should Believe Kind Culture Rich Player Rain Graves Forests Indian Cradle Flutes Stockhausen

Author:Yusef Lateef

“The fact is ones own voice is not heard anywhere else. Its a challenge to be yourself. It takes a lot of courage.”

Facts Voice Challenges Heard Being Yourself

Author:Yusef Lateef

“Whatever I do today is the whole continuum of my experience. Like John Dewey said in his book ‘Art as Experience,’ you can’t separate experience from the work of art. So, if I write for the symphony today, you’re listening to everything that’s happened to me since I was 18 years old.”

Ifs Writing Years Art Said Book Whole Today Happened Listening Works Of Art Symphony Continuum

Book:The Gentle Giant: The Autobiography of Yusef Lateef

Source: The Gentle Giant: The Autobiography of Yusef Lateef

“Loveless moments are to be avoided.”

Moments Avoided Loveless

Author:Yusef Lateef

About the Author

Born: October 9, 1920
Died: December 23, 2013
Known for: Multi-instrumentalist
Quotes: 8

Related Topics

Flutes Ifs Looks Should African American Art Avoided Being Yourself Believe Body

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

The Gentle Giant: The Autobiography of Yusef LateefRelated source material

Similar Authors

James GalwayBrowse related quotes
Debbie DaviesBrowse related quotes
Hubert LawsBrowse related quotes
Max RoachBrowse related quotes
Don PullenBrowse related quotes
Pat MethenyBrowse related quotes
John ColtraneBrowse related quotes
Herbie HancockBrowse related quotes
Clark TerryBrowse related quotes
Rupa GoswamiBrowse related quotes