Chico Hamilton

Musicians have to suffer to a certain degree in order to obtain their outlet.

I think I’ve tried to stay true to my music since the beginning. It’s kind of hard because of the access and technology but I just do what I do.

Jazz is a very accurate, curiously accurate accompaniment to 20th century America.

Music isn’t just learning notes and playing them. You learn notes to play the music of your soul.

A Jazz Diet will make you hipper, thinner, taller, smarter, richer, happier and more attractive to members of both sexes.

Indian music is very soulful and the only other school that develops improv to the high degree you find in Jazz.

I wrote “Pilot of My Destiny” because of my love of flying. The fact that my brother is a pilot inspired me to write it. I call him pilot. He calls me copilot.

Being a Jazz musician is not a rose garden!

If you already have a piece of music ingrained in your body, why would you not play it?

The secret is keeping busy, and loving what you do.

The music scene is more competitive in the States.

[Stratocaster vs Les Paul] It’s a totally different animal. One is for very subtle and, I would say, more musical things that you can distract and abuse. You can’t do that with a Les Paul. It’s too delicate. It’s got a very delicate tone; most people don’t ever realize that because they are plugged into monstrous amplifiers which completely, instantaneously covers up the unique sound quality it has. All those years of development go straight out the window when you overload the amp.

I often wonder whether Negroes like myself who are pretty well known help out at all in breaking down barriers.

Hell is full of musical amateurs.

My role as a drummer is as a team player to enhance what is going on around me.

Music is a verb.