Bob Brookmeyer

The true artform is being a human being.

Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.

Jazz is an art that makes a person completely naked.

Music should not have any mandates. Jazz is not supposed to be something that is required to sound like jazz.

The way I look at it, they’re all part of my musical diary, and I can listen to any one of them and it will bring up memories of what was going on at that time.

Music opens up minds to dream great dreams about where you can go and what you can do.

We all have idols. Play like anyone you care about but try to be yourself while you’re doing so.

To play without passion is inexcusable.

When you just get mixed up and there’s too much going on, then it’s time to pick up your guitar.

Inspiration comes from tunes you play, other musicians and your own imagination.

There’s two things you can’t live without. Water and music.

I started in New Orleans music and played all through the history of Jazz.

I’m sure critics have their purpose, and they’re supposed to do what they do, but sometimes they get a little carried away with what they think someone should have done, rather than concerning themselves with what he did.

Breathe…. breathe a lot!

On my album Here, that’s the first time that I’ve really understood how I could put all the things that were happening in the world and in my life and in our lives as just human beings into one body that was just so powerful and really had a perspective. That was an opening for me and I think that naturally, there is just so much to talk about. I don’t see me getting quiet anytime soon.