Virgil Thomson

You don’t rehearse Jazz to death to get the camera angles.

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

They’re not particular whether you’re playing a flat 5th or a ruptured 129th as long as they can dance.

I’ve always felt rock and roll was very, very wholesome music.

I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea.

I just think swing is a matter of some good things put together that you can really pat your foot by. I can’t define it beyond that.

Music should always be an adventure.

The majority of people mistakenly feel they don’t need a live musical experience.

When there was vinyl, I just loved opening a record and smelling that wonderful smell.

In Europe, they like everything you do. The mistakes and everything. That’s a little bit too much.

Miles told me not to use vibrato because when you get old, you’re going to shake anyway.

If you have something in your life worth celebrating, you can put it in a blues song.

I’m meant to be an artist who can stand on my own. That’s my place; that’s what I’m supposed to do.

I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever.

Jazz music has become academic. Sometimes that doesn’t feel right to me.