Charlie Parker

Master your instrument, master the music and then forget all that and just play.

In Kansas City joints ran 9pm-5am. Pay was a $1.25 a night but somebody special like Count Basie could command $1.50.

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 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.

I am a devout musician.

I kept thinking there’s bound to be something else? I could hear it sometimes, but I couldn’t play it.

Musicians have a really big part to play in spreading messages because they’re able to reach a large portion of people on an emotional level. Artists reach people at their heart; it’s the only time we meet in one place and put our differences aside. When you’re in a forum listening to music, all you feel in that moment is love and the understanding.

It’s like an act of murder; you play with intent to commit something.

Jazz will endure just as long people hear it through their feet instead of their brains.

There are a million good tunes.

It seems like I always had to work harder than other people. Those nights when everybody else is asleep, and you sit in your room trying to play scales. I just wonder where I was when the talent was being given out, like George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Eric Clapton… oh, there’s many more! I wouldn’t want to be like them, you understand, but I’d like to be equal, if you will.

I have no elitist concepts about Jazz. I would not be the musician I am today without experiencing invaluable music styles that are at the roots of African American black life and culture.

If it sounds good and feels good, then it IS good!

I’ve found you’ve got to look back at the old things and see them in a new light.

You can practice to learn technique, but I’m more interested in conceiving something in the moment.

They said Bird played bebop, but Bird could still swing. I’ve heard a lot of guys play bebop, but they wasn’t swinging.

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

Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness – I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

Men have died for this music. You can’t get more serious than that.

The fact that an artist is experiencing the joy of creation makes me feel like we’re in it together.

To this day, I don’t like people walking on stage not looking good. You have to look good. If you feel special about yourself then you’re going to play special.