Jane Monheit

Trying to play the new concept with a outward bound feeling.

I’m going to make music out of whatever style it is, being true to the artform itself.

Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.

Excessive reverence for the romantic illusion of original thought is the most fraudulent and destructive element in Jazz education.

It’s true I’ve always been attracted to the jazz band in an orchestral way, rather than a band way.

People love us when we play what we want to play but we’re starving.

Jazz music is the real deal.

I don’t know anything about music. In my line you don’t have to.

So What or Kind of Blue were done in that era, the right hour, the right day. It’s over; it’s on the record.

I’ve worked with jazz artists, country artists, classical artists, pop artists. I never wanted there to be categories, because when I was a kid there weren’t.

There’s always this sound out there that’s just a little beyond my reach and that just sort of keeps me going.

What does music mean to you? What would you do without music?

I’m trying to get people to see that we are our brother’s keeper. Red, white, black, brown or yellow, rich or poor, we all have the blues.

I’ve never written a political song. Songs can’t save the world. I’ve gone through all that.

Once in a while, the thumb that fits over the neck of the guitar kinda bothers me a little bit, but not that much yet. I figure in time I won’t do much because of my age.