“Some guys said 'Here's bop!' Wham! They said, 'Here's something we can make money on!' Wham! 'Here's a comedian!' Wham! Here's a guy who talks funny talk!'” SaidGuyJazzMaking MoneyComedianThey SaidBops Author:Charlie Parker
“There is no such thing as justice - in or out of court.” JusticeEarsCourtRevengeLaw And JusticeLaw Courts Author:Clarence Darrow
“I'd been getting bored with the stereotyped changes (harmonies) that were being used all the time. I found that by using the higher intervals of a chord as a melody line and backing them with appropriately related changes I could play the thing I'd been hearing. I came alive.” PlayUsedFoundLinesAliveHigherHarmonyJazzHearingBoredRelatedMelodyChordsIntervals Author:Charlie Parker
“I don't care who likes it or buys it. Because if you use that criterion, Mozart would never have written Don Giovanni, Charlie Parker would have never played anything but swing music.” IfsUseCareWrittenJazzDon't CareLikesI Don't CareSwingsCriteriaCharlie Author:Charlie Parker
“I despair about the lack of proper respect shown for the piano. If you want it to sound like a traffic jam, go out in the street and forget the piano. That's not a piano sound.” IfsWantSoundForgetStreetsDespairJazzPianoTrafficJamTraffic Jam Author:Oscar Peterson
“Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing. I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea. I have no one style. I play as I feel.” FeelsBelieveIdeasPlaySpeakI BelieveStyleTypeLimitsCapableInstrumentsJazzMusicalI Believe InPianoPianistPersonal StyleTrademarks Author:Oscar Peterson
“I always say it's not my Arkestra, it belongs to some other force which wants certain things, to reach people.” PeopleWantCertainForceJazz Author:Sun Ra
“It ["Begin the Beguine"] became such a hit that it superseded anything that any band had ever had. It was the first time that a so-called swing band played something melodic and still gave it a beat.” FirstsStillsBandBeatsFirst TimeJazzSwings Author:Artie Shaw
“You know somethin', man? Some day I'm gonna be walkin' up the street one way and you're gonna be comin' down the other way, and we're gonna pass each other and I'm gonna say 'Hello, best white band in the world' and you're gonna say 'Hello, best colored band in the world.” KnowsMenWorldWayInspirationalChangeWhiteStreetsBandMusicianJazzOne WayAfrican AmericanChanging The WorldBeing The BestHelloMaking ChangesDrummerBest Is Yet To Come Author:Chick Webb
“They always ask me the same questions. Where was I born? When did I start singing? Who have I worked with? I don't understand why they can't just talk to me without all that question bit.” AsksBitsBornSingingJazzAsk MeTalk To Me Author:Sarah Vaughan