Ella Fitzgerald

I’m very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it’s a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it’s because it’s something I love to do.

The only thing better than singing is more singing.

It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.

It isn’t where you came from, its where you’re going that counts.

Forgive me if I don’t have the words. Maybe I can sing it and you’ll understand.

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Jazz music today is from the head and not the heart.

To play without passion is inexcusable.

Do not fear mistakes, there are none.

I’m creating music – it doesn’t matter if anyone else likes it.

Technique is the ability to translate your ideas into sound through your instrument.

If you want to be a good blues singer, people are going to be down on you, so dress like you’re going to the bank to borrow money.

Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory.

Jazz attracted me because in it I found a formal perfection and instrumental precision that I admire in classical music, but which popular music doesn’t have.

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

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.

In the world of Art there are no wrong choices.

[On the word Jazz] There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s only a word. What’s in a name? Nothing! Cats say, Call me Muhammed so-and-so. But what’s the difference? A name doesn’t make the music. It’s just called that to differentiate it from other types of music. Jazz is known all over the world as an American musical art form and that’s it. No America, no jazz. I’ve seen people try to connect it to other countries, for instance to Africa, but it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with Africa.

I adore extravagance but I abhor waste.

It angers me how scholars associate the blues strictly with tragedy.

An artist should write for himself and not for an audience. If the audience likes it, great. If not, they can keep away.