“I will never again play anything that does not have social significance. We American jazz musicians of African descent have proved beyond all doubt that we are master musicians of our instruments. Now what we have to do is employ our skill to tell the dramatic story of our people and what we've been through.” PeopleDoePlayStoriesSocialMusicDoubtMastersSkillsMusicianInstrumentsJazzAfrican AmericanDramaticSignificanceJazz MusicDescentJazz MusicianAfrican Music Author:Max Roach
“When I hear the words jazz pianist, that just means I have the skills to do most things. Because to be a jazz pianist, even to be a bad jazz pianist, you have to be pretty good.” MeanSkillsJazzPianist Author:Robert Glasper
“Louis Armstrong was the primary contributor to jazz music in the 20th century. His improvisational skills served as the principal model for all who came after him, regardless of one's chosen instrument.” CenturySkillsModelsInstrumentsJazzChosenPrimariesPrincipal20th CenturyJazz MusicArmstrongContributors Author:Ellis Marsalis, Jr.
“Improvisation in the jazz sense - like the business sense - is not formless. It is built on a skill set. Jazz, for example, involves selecting a tune.” ExampleSkillsBuiltJazzTunesImprovisationBusiness Sense Author:John Kao
“Jazz is not about getting and playing whatever notes you want. It is about reworking themes in a manner that sounds good, that can be followed by the other musicians and that the audience enjoys. You cannot do that without first acquiring skills.” WantFirstsEnjoySoundAudienceSkillsMusicianJazzNotesTheme Author:John Kao