Vinnie Colaiuta

I try to teach by example and not force ideas on a young musician. We’re here to be part of a process of exchange.

I am famous because I am an African American jazz artist.

Jazz is a beautiful word. I love it.

You can’t seperate modern jazz from rock or from rhythm and blues – you can’t seperate it. Because that’s where it all started, and that’s where it all come from – that’s where I learned to keep rhythm – in church.

I was first awakened to musical exploration by Dizzy and Bird.

I developed in my head that I’m never any better than my last concert or the last time I played, so it’s like an audition each time. You get nervous just before going onstage. I still have that, but I think it’s more like concern. You’re concerned about the people – like meeting your in-laws for the first time.

Jazz is about being in the moment.

A young tenor player was complaining to me that Coleman Hawkins made him nervous. Man, I told him Hawkins was supposed to make him nervous! Hawkins has been making other sax players nervous for forty years!

Stevie didn’t use the technology to drive the song. He used it to enhance. I use the tools to further my work, I don’t use my work to further the tools.

I don’t believe music can be free unless it has something to be free from.

I’m gonna live till I die.

To keep a band together you simply need a gimmick. The gimmick I use is to pay them money.

I was always exposed to music. Mom and dad would have the radio on constantly.

Its all about finding the right note at the right place and knowing when to leave it alone.

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.