Stan Getz

Musically, I love to talk just off the top of my head and that’s what Jazz is all about.

Other than conversation, no other art form can give the satisfaction of spontaneous interaction like Jazz.

I never have any trouble playing anything I can think of. The trouble is thinking of what to play.

We recorded to document ourselves, not to sell a lot of records.

People involve themselves with the superficiality of Jazz without digging for its soul.

We made records to document ourselves, not to sell a lot of records. I still feel that way. I put out a record because I think it’s beautiful, not necessarily commercial.

Musicianship is using your two ears.

Don’t say Aretha is making a comeback, because I’ve never been away!

You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you’re really interested in it.

My fans are the best in the world! They’ve grown up with me and stayed with me through this entire journey.

I felt a responsibility to present a viable alternative to the popular electric sound.

I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up in the morning and see the light. Then I’m grateful.

I grew up with the piano. I learned its language as I learned to speak.

Nothing is so well-prepared as a great spontaneous performance.

It’s always Jazz. You can put a new dress on her, a new hat, but no matter what kind of clothes she’s the same old broad.

Love songs last because they are about feelings that don’t change.

When you are studying Jazz best thing to do is listen to records and live music as much you can and absorb everything.

It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.

Gershwin was right in his time, at his time. Everybody else was behind.

It’s important to reflect on what made Jazz so special.

Whenever I fill out the job description I put ‘songwriter’, never ‘singer’ or ‘artist.’ Singers come and go.