Ten Quotes from Women in Jazz for National Jazz Appreciation Month
National Jazz Appreciation Month reminds us to acknowledge over a century of revolutionary and unforgettable music. From the 1920s prohibition era to the civil rights movement, jazz has undoubtedly shaped the American music and social experience. Check out the following 10 quotes from women in jazz for reflection and inspiration.
Mary Lou Williams, Library of Congress
Quotes from Women in Jazz
“If you work on your talent, the plans will fall in automatically.”
~Mary Lou Williams, pianist, arranger, composer
“Music is really a spiritual thing — a connection between your inner self and the projection of that in public.”
~Patrice Rushen, pianist, singer, composer, producer, songwriter
“To me, music is a luminous experience. Whenever I’m immersed in it, life lights up for me, no matter what else is going on.”
~Anat Cohen, clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader
“Our music artistry should not be disconnected from our lives or ourselves.”
~Terri Lyne Carrington, drummer, producer, composer, educator
“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.”
~Ella Fitzgerald, singer
Billie Holiday, Library of Congress
“Everyone’s got to be different. You can’t copy anybody and end up with anything.”
~Billie Holiday, singer
“You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love’s no longer being served.”
~Nina Simone, singer, civil rights activist
“But the greatest thing about music is putting it out there for people to figure out. You want the listener to find the song on their own. If you give too much away, it takes away from the imagination.”
~Diana Krall, pianist, singer
“If you work on your talent, the plans will fall in automatically.”
~Mary Lou Williams, pianist, arranger, composer
“When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don’t even notice.”
~Sarah Vaughan, singer
“Your sanity is harder to get back than money or contacts. You are the magic. You are the art. You can’t lose that.”
~Esperanza Spalding, bassist, singer, songwriter, composer
Compiled by Brooke Weatherbie
Top photo by Charles Parker for Pexels
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