Herbie Hancock

In the world of Art there are no wrong choices.

The value of music is not dazzling yourself and others with technique.

One thing I like about jazz is that it emphasized doing things differently from what other people were doing.

Music is the tool to express life – and all that makes a difference.

A great teacher stimulates his student’s creativity enough so that they go out and find the answers themselves.

I’m always looking to create new avenues or new visions of music.

My Strat is another arm, it’s part of me. It doesn’t feel like a guitar at all. It’s an implement which is my voice.

We didn’t have any segregation at the Cotton Club. No. The Cotton Club was wide open, it was free

As far back as I can remember, singing was in my blood. My parents loved music, and I loved to sing. I was scatting at an early age.

I’m a musician at heart, I know I’m not really a singer. I couldn’t compete with real singers. But I sing because the public buys it.

People will always need love, romance, a tender touch and really personal and deeply felt music.

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.

Jazz stands for freedom.

I started as a writer and when I sent my demos out everyone wanted to know who was singing and if that person wanted a record deal.

I am a writer – that is what I am before being a performer or musician. I love waking up in the morning and then going to sleep that night with something that did not exist.

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

If you really understand the meaning of be-bop, you understand the meaning of freedom.

Jazz was born out of the whiskey bottle, was raised on marijuana, and will expire on cocaine.

The wonderful thing about Jazz is its willingness to take chances.

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

Forget about upholding the tradition and just play who you really are.