Home / Quotes / Quote by Pete La Roca

Quote by Pete La Roca

“What I love about Sonny's playing is that he is so inventive within the mainstream Jazz vernacular. Because he knows so many ways to deal with musical material, he is never repetitive and hasn't had to invent a new language. Also, he never asked me to do anything but swing!”

Quote by Pete La Roca

Author

Pete La Roca, born Peter Michael LaRocca, was an outstanding jazz drummer. Born on April 7, 1938, in New York, USA, he passed away on November 20, 2012. La Roca is renowned for his unique playing style and contributions to jazz music, with a career filled with rich experiences and remarkable achievements. more

You May Also Like

“I was deeply impressed and moved by his masterful playing. He was highly polished, profound, subtle, and intense. He was extremely fluent in a great combination of the traditional vernacular with his own. Hearing it unfold and being in a position to participate was a great pleasure. Part of being an accompanist is that the stronger the soloist, the more I can do all that I know to do. So, Joe was as good as it gets.”

“Free music is in a constant state of surprise and, consequently, presents no surprise at all. So, I'm not really a fan of Free music. Having said that, Jazz is based on individual expression and I'm compelled to respect the Free player's option to express himself as he chooses.”

Said States Individual Music Player Fans Expression Music Is Constant Jazz Surprise Compelled Jazz Music Individual Expression Free Music

Author:Pete La Roca

“Fusion has been my nemesis.”

Has Beens Music Jazz Jazz Music Fusion Nemesis

Author:Pete La Roca

“Ornette Coleman is doing the only really new thing in jazz since the innovations in the mid-forties of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and those of Thelonious Monk”

Music Innovation Jazz Forty New Things Monk Jazz Music Charlie Dizzy

Author:John Lewis

“I think that's what really a substantial work is, it's forever. It's the truth now and it was the truth then, and it will be the truth tomorrow.”

Thinking Music Forever Tomorrow Jazz Jazz Music

Author:Abbey Lincoln

“I was in New York, miserable because I was working supper clubs but I wasn't expressing myself. I was really unhappy with my life. I saw Max Roach again and he told me I didn't have to do things like that. He made me an honest woman on the stage. I have been performing in that tradition since. I feel that I'm a serious performer now whereas then I wanted to be but I didn't know how.”

Knows Feels Has Beens Made Wanted Music Know How Saws Stage Honest New York Serious Tradition Jazz Clubs Unhappy Miserable Performing Performers Jazz Music Max Supper Roaches Honest Woman

Author:Abbey Lincoln

“Make no mistake, this music is for everyone. Jazz is not an exclusive, elite club. Go ahead, listen to your Snoop Doggy Dog, Pearl Jam, Garth Brooks, but add a little Ellington, Basie and Coltrane to your life as well.”

Wells Littles Mistake Music Dog Music Is Add Jazz Clubs Elites Pearls Exclusive Jazz Music Jam Brooks Coltrane Pearl Jam

Author:Christian McBride

“I tell my students, 'It's an important tradition and you have to go back and hear this music and learn its language all the way through. How are you going to know what's new to play, if you haven't listened to everything that's old?'”

Ifs Knows Way Important Play Language Music Havens Students Tradition Jazz Jazz Music

Author:Jackie McLean

“I never really sounded like Bird, but that was my mission. I didn't care if people said that I copied him; I loved Bird's playing so much. But Mingus was the one that really pushed me away from the idea and forced me into thinking about having an individual sound and concept. That's what I got from Mingus.”

People Ifs Thinking Said Ideas Care Individual Sound Music Bird Concepts Jazz Missions Jazz Music

Author:Jackie McLean

“Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.”

Fighting Lost Causes Worth Fighting For Lost Cause Things Worth Fighting For

Author:Clarence Darrow