Charlie Hunter

Yeah, it’s more like playing what you think is appropriate for the moment, not forcing any particular style.

Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.

The word “jazz” means to me no category, but when you get stuck into wanting to do something the way it was with the “jazz emblem” or logo chained around your neck, you play in a frozen moment in time and you keep fermenting the ‘fifties saying jazz should be this way or that. Well, if jazz to me means no category, then I’ve got the green light And if it sounds like.. sounds like.. sounds like, and keeps crossing over, it’s what I wanted to do in the first place. I like the way Stravinsky and those guys did things. They expressed something, if not themselves. In fact, some people talk about expression, but expression really doesn’t mean anything to me because there’s a lot of work which goes into building a drama and then it’s up to other people to offer “expression.” Expression is such a nebulous thing.

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.

Pop doesn’t really look back. It can’t. What makes pop work is simplicity.

It’s difficult for me to dislike an artist, no matter what he’s creating.

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

All this is saying is, OK I see now, the ‘hood does not quite want Shirley Bassey yet, so let me still give them this. Crack Music was made after Diamonds. After black people were like, ‘I don’t know about this one.’ It was like me reaching too high for the cookie jar.

I let my body play what’s in my heart. I play life instead of notes. I play what I lived.

It’s not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.

The way I feel today, as long as my health is good and I can handle myself well and people still come to my concerts, still buy my CDs, I’ll keep playing until I feel like I can’t.

[In 1969] I think lyrics have always been important to any serious writer of music.

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

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

There are times when you want to go where you used to go and you can’t go there. So I’m back to Count Basie lifting his hand. And I find you can stop that show with one note just like you can with a hundred.

I think that what is important is that the music be honest and direct and that it is relevant to today.