Jazz is a good barometer of freedom.
DUKE ELLINGTONThe artist must say it without saying it.
More Duke Ellington Quotes
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There is no art when one does something without intention.
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There are two kinds of worries – those you can do something about and those you can’t. Don’t spend any time on the latter.
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You have to stop listening in categories. The music is either good or it’s bad.
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New York is a place where the rich walk, the poor drive Cadillacs, and beggars die of malnutrition with thousands of dollars hidden in their mattresses.
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Selfishness can be a virtue. Selfishness is essential to survival, and without survival we cannot protect those whom we love more than ourselves.
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There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds. If it sounds good it’s successful; if it doesn’t it has failed.
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The most important thing I look for in a musician is whether he knows how to listen.
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New music? Hell, there’s been no new music since Stravinsky.
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If you have a great band with a mediocre drummer, you have a mediocre band. If you have a mediocre band with a great drummer, you have a great band!
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Sing sweet, but put a little dirt in it.
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Now I can say loudly and openly what I have been saying to myself on my knees.
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The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.
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Yet, every time God’s children have thrown away fear in pursuit of honesty-trying to communicate themselves, understood or not, miracles have happened.
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It’s like an act of murder – you play with intent to commit something.
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There are 2 rules in life: Number 1- Never quit. Number2- Never forget rule number 1.
DUKE ELLINGTON