I have no one style.
You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That’s jazz.
The music field was the first to break down racial barriers, because in order to play together, you have to love the people you are playing with, and if you have any racial inhibitions, you wouldn’t be able to do that.
If you have something to say of any worth then people will listen to you.
Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing. I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea. I have no one style. I play as I feel.
I play as I feel.
Its the group sound thats important, even when youre playing a solo. You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. Thats jazz.
Les Paul was one of the great innovators of the early electric guitar, and he made some fantastic guitar records. To me, Les Paul is very much it.
The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.
I think I was supposed to play Jazz.
I saw a vibraphone for the first time and knew immediately I had found my means of expression.
I play the way I do cause it allows me to come up w/ the sickest sounds possible. That’s the point now isn’t it?
Dance music-as I keep saying, you can dance to a windshield wiper a windshield wiper thats fairly steady gives you a beat and all you need is an out-of-tune playing Melancholy Baby and youve got dance music.
To get the music the way you want it, there’s a lot of work involved.
The reason I write music is that I feel it’s a vehicle or channel which leads to your true self, your essence.
The popular song is America’s greatest ambassador.
It’s not technique — it’s what you have to say.
In this era it’s harder for musicians to get together, … Back in the ’80s, we were all at the clubs, you ran into people all the time. Now, everybody’s kind of in their own room with their computers. I use making an album as an opportunity to connect with musicians.
Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it’s disposable.
I play whatever the hell comes out… that’s it.
If I’m not saying it in four choruses or less, then I’m not saying it.
Those who were seen dancing were thought insane by those who could not hear the music.
