Cassandra Wilson

I’m always looking for ways to develop as a Jazz artist, to find different ways of using my voice.

I cringed when I heard myself described as a Jazz singer. I’ve always thought of myself as a Jazz vocalist.

I’m no good with chords. I’m horrible with chords.

I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.

Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after night, but differently each time.

Of the whole bunch of guys who play hollow body guitar, I think Herb Ellis has the most drive.

In my opinion, I think sarcasm and humor in a song, without turning it into a novelty song, is really charming.

Everybody that you could name would join in our audiences from, Laguardia on down. Everybody came. Everybody came to the Cotton Club.

I thought I had swell ideas and wonderful musicians but no one else did.

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.

I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up in the morning and see the light. Then I’m grateful.

I’ll play it first and tell you what it is afterwards.

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.

A great song can pull me out of a slump and lighten my heart.

Les Paul was one of the great innovators of the early electric guitar, and he made some fantastic guitar records. To me, Les Paul is very much it.

I try to teach by example and not force ideas on a young musician. We’re here to be part of a process of exchange.

When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people.