Charlie Parker

I realized by using the high notes of the chords as a melodic line, and by the right harmonic progression, I could play what I heard inside me. That’s when I was born.

It’s not all smoke and mirrors. Some of it comes from books.

You’ve got to learn your instrument.

Don’t play the saxophone. Let it play you.

You’ve got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.

I can play all I know in eight bars.

Jazz music will continue to thrive, possibly in unexpected ways.

The beauty of Jazz is that it’s malleable. People address it to suit their own personalities.

Get around, be on the scene, play it clean, be seen, be keen and be over eighteen.

Jazz has such great feeling and emotional content it really doesn’t require technical understanding.

Count don’t do nothin’. But it sure sounds good.

Those who were seen dancing were thought insane by those who could not hear the music.

This guitar is such a pal. It’s a psychiatrist. It’s a doggone bartender. It’s a housewife. This guy is everything. Whenever I find that I’ve got a problem, I’ll go pick my guitar up and play. It’s the greatest pal in the whole world.

In Europe, they like everything you do. The mistakes and everything. That’s a little bit too much.

The problem is that a lot of the blues stations are late on Saturday night, and like a lot of people, I ain’t no vampire!

If you want to make beautiful music, you must play the black and the white notes together.

I’ve sung a lot of emotional songs, but when you’re writing it’s very difficult to decide what to reveal.

If you’re making money people don’t think you’re playing Jazz. When you’re not making money they think you’re a great Jazz musician.

People who are meant to be drawn to your music will find you.

Dizzy used to tell me I’m playing too hard. He’d say to not give everything. Miles told me that too.

It’s easy to play any musical instrument, just touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.