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My music is evidence of my soul's will to live.
Charles Mingus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses that music is a reflection of one's inner self and a testament to the desire to exist.

Charles Mingus suggests that his music serves as an embodiment of his spirit and determination to live. Music, in this context, becomes more than just sound; it becomes a vital expression of one's emotions, battles, and the innate will for life. Each note and composition resonates with the depths of his experience, illustrating how art can serve as a powerful testament to human existence.

Themes

MusicSoulLifeExpressionArt

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the impact of art, one might use this quote to emphasize how music reflects our deep emotional experiences.

More from Charles Mingus

Just because I'm playing jazz I don't forget about me. I play or write me, the way I feel, through jazz, or whatever.
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I am Charles Mingus, half black man, not even white enough to pass for nothing but black. I am Charles Mingus, a famed jazzman, but not famed enough to make a living in this society.
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Jazz music is a language of the emotions.
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Let my children have music! Let them hear live music.
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I never heard my music played the way I heard it in my head.
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It (jazz) isn't like it used to be. The guys aren't together. They're all separated. Individuals now. Bird was a symbol. It was a clique, a clique of people. Who all believed in one thing: gettin' high. And playin'.
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Quote by Charles Mingus | QuoteProject