Shelly Manne

I’m no good with chords. I’m horrible with chords.

Keep on listening and tapping your feet.

I don’t like to hear someone put down Dixieland. Those people who say there’s no music but bop are just stupid; it shows how much they don’t know.

Music to me is like breathing. I don’t get tired of breathing, I don’t get tired of music.

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

Music and culture are intrinsically improvisational, existential.

Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.

I discovered very early that it wasn’t quite enough for me to imitate people.

The trio is the biggest sound you can have with the smallest unit.

Music’s a good thing, it calm the beast in the man.

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

The way I feel today, as long as my health is good and I can handle myself well and people still come to my concerts, still buy my CDs, I’ll keep playing until I feel like I can’t.

After you’ve done all the work and prepared as much as you can, what the hell, you might as well go out and have a good time.

Jazz translates the moment into a sense of inspiration for not only the musicians but for the listeners.

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.