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Jazz music is a language of the emotions.
Charles Mingus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Jazz music expresses deep feelings and emotions, serving as a powerful mode of communication.

In this quote, Charles Mingus suggests that jazz music transcends mere notes and rhythms, instead serving as a profound expression of human emotions. By referring to it as a 'language,' he highlights its ability to convey feelings, experiences, and moods that words often cannot capture, emphasizing the emotional depth and artistry within jazz.

Themes

JazzMusicEmotionsExpressionLanguage

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about musical genres that express profound feelings, this quote can highlight the unique emotional depth of jazz.

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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Let my children have music! Let them hear live music.
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My music is evidence of my soul's will to live.
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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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