Dave Brubeck Inspirational Quotes (29)

Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, and many other great jazz musicians objected to their music being called jazz. While the outside world may want to put a label on it, those who create it think of it just as music, and tend not to classify it.

The secret of a great melody is a secret.

I had the first integrated Army band in World War II.

I’m beginning to understand myself. But it would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82.

When you hear Bach or Mozart, you hear perfection. Remember that Bach, Mozart and Beethoven were great improvisers. I can hear that in their music.