Norma Teagarden

If you feel like tapping your feet, tap your feet.

There’s only one bass player in a band. I’m the best bass player of any band I’m in.

Each time I have the opportunity to play, it’s another chance to tell the truth.

I had a really good time in New Orleans, although I had some very tragic times in Baton Rouge. Some guys beat me up and threw my horn away. ‘Cause I had a beard, then, and long hair like the Beatles.

All we are saying is give peace a chance.

I would like you to know, I am a doctor of music.

Jazz stands for freedom.

The Blues? It’s the mother of American music. That’s what is is – the source.

Music and culture are intrinsically improvisational, existential.

I got out of the car and there was a knife in my neck. The guy says, “Don’t move.” And the drummer got out of the car, and he got a gun in his head. This was my entrance to the South Side of Chicago. But it was necessary, because I wanted to play jazz.

Music doesn’t have to hop to be hip, as long as it swings it sings.

People all over the world have problems. And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die.

Jazz fans love Miles and I love him for a myriad of reasons, but the overviews are always too simplistic.

Music can’t save the world, but can make one a little calmer.

I’m not like a legend that – so I’m sort of in the middle in this sort of gray area where, you know, I’m creating music, and I’m not saying there isn’t an audience, because there is; because all of those people go out and spend $80 to $150 on a concert ticket.