Sonny Rollins Quotes on Music (10 Quotes)

Even the most jingoistic person would have to admit that even American cultural music comes from Europe. That's what classical music is, real European music.

As the years went by and jazz got more popular and social conditions changed, you were able to have jazz as a topic introduced into the music curriculum in universities, ... I think that one thing that hip-hop and jazz have in common is that they are both coming out of the minority subculture and we've faced some of the same problems. They are attacked in different ways . . . but they are a minority in a majority culture, so they are unfortunately discriminated against by the larger portion of the majority community.

America is deeply rooted in Negro culture its colloquialisms its humor its music.

It was a distinct honor because of the people inducted. Some were such giants of the music. I didn't really feel worthy to be included with Fats Waller.

So the people over there have a very advanced appreciation of music and they recognize the power and the beauty and the wonderfulness of jazz.

I think the problem starts with the general appreciation of the music in the larger society.

That's a pretty tall order, ... I don't want to sound too grandiose or that I can represent jazz in its entirety. But as one of few remaining people from that period the heyday of bebop during the '40s and '50s, I want to represent myself and the kind of musicians from that period, so that people who are new to the music can say, 'These people were good they aren't just a bunch of old moldy figs.'

I have always been a person who is concerned with the dignity of jazz music and the way jazz musicians have been treated and are treated, and the fact that the music has not been given the kind of due that it deserves.

I am a person who thinks about the music first in trying to achieve something musically valid.

I think music should be judged on what it is. It should be very high and above everything else. It is a beautiful way of bringing people together, a little bit of an oasis in this messed-up world.