The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night or something said long ago.
Louis ArmstrongRead
Very few of the men whose names have become great in the early pioneering of jazz and of swing were trained in music at all. They were born musicians: they felt their music and played by ear and memory. That was the way it was with the great Dixieland Five.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True musical talent often comes from innate ability rather than formal training.
In this quote, Louis Armstrong emphasizes the idea that many of the greatest jazz and swing musicians were not formally trained in music theory but were instead gifted with an innate sense of music. They played from their heart and memory, showing that true artistry is often driven by passion and natural talent rather than conventional education.
Themes
MusicTalentJazzCreativityPassion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared in a discussion about the importance of natural talent in creative fields.
More from Louis Armstrong
All quotes →Making money ain't nothing exciting to me. You might be able to buy a little better booze than the wino on the corner. But you get sick just like the next cat and when you die you're just as graveyard dead as he is.
Louis ArmstrongRead
My whole life, my whole soul, my whole spirit is to blow that horn.
Louis ArmstrongRead
I've Got the World on a String.
Louis ArmstrongRead
It's America's classical music ... this becomes our tradition ... the bottom line of any country in the world is what did we contribute to the world? ... we contributed Louis Armstrong
Louis ArmstrongRead
When I was young and very green, I worte that tune, Sister Kate, and someone said that's fine, let me publish it for you. I'll give you fifty dollars. I didn't know nothing about papers, and business, and I sold it outright.
Louis ArmstrongRead
Similar quotes
The Maestro says it's Mozart but it sounds like bubble gum when you're waiting for the miracle to come.
Leonard CohenRead
I get a thrill meeting kids who are into alternative music.
Kurt CobainRead
Noise has taken the place of punk rock. People who play noise have no real aspirations to being part of the mainstream culture. Punk has been co-opted, and this subterranean noise music and the avant-garde folk scene have replaced it
Thurston MooreRead
I want to see 10 female rappers getting regular rotation. It can't be all about a man's opinion.
Queen LatifahRead
Not many people bought Velvet Underground LPs, but those who did, started a band.
Brian EnoRead
Rap will never be the same as before
EminemRead