Jazz today, as always in the past, is a matter of thoughtful creation, not mere unaided instinct.
DUKE ELLINGTONSomehow I suspect that if Shakespeare were alive today, he might be a jazz fan himself.
More Duke Ellington Quotes
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Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions: when it ceases to be dangerous, you don’t want it.
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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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There is nothing to keeping a band together. You simply have to have a gimmick, and the gimmick I use is to pay them money!
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Music is the tonal reflection of beauty.
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Without a deadline, baby, I wouldn’t do nothing.
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There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind.
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Create, and be true to yourself, and depend only on your own good taste.
DUKE ELLINGTON -
I fluffed off the guy who kept requesting tunes all night, then found out he was the King’s son.
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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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Problems are chances for us to do our best.
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Sing sweet, but put a little dirt in it.
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Every man prays in his own language.
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Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn’t want me to be too famous too young.
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Tomorrow is in the wings waiting for you to sound her entrance fanfare.
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Be a number one yourself. And not a number two somebody else.
DUKE ELLINGTON