I don’t believe in categories of any kind, and when you speak of problems between blacks and whites in the U.S.A. you are referring to categories again.
DUKE ELLINGTONI never had much interest in the piano until I realized that every time I played, a girl would appear on the piano bench to my left and another to my right.
More Duke Ellington Quotes
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There are 2 rules in life: Number 1- Never quit. Number2- Never forget rule number 1.
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A musical profit outweighs a financial loss.
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Problems are chances for us to do our best.
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I fluffed off the guy who kept requesting tunes all night, then found out he was the King’s son.
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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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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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Jazz today, as always in the past, is a matter of thoughtful creation, not mere unaided instinct.
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There is no art without intention.
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There is no art when one does something without intention.
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Music is the tonal reflection of beauty.
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What does music mean to you? What would you do without music?
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A problem is a chance for you to do your best.
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Somehow I suspect that if Shakespeare were alive today, he might be a jazz fan himself.
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Without a deadline, baby, I wouldn’t do nothing.
DUKE ELLINGTON