Music isn't about music, it's about life.
Herbie HancockRead
In World War II, jazz absolutely was the music of freedom, and then in the Cold War, behind the Iron Curtain, same thing. It was all underground, but they needed the food of freedom that jazz offered.
Interpretation
Jazz symbolizes freedom and resistance during difficult times in history.
Herbie Hancock emphasizes the role of jazz as a powerful form of expression and resistance during tumultuous periods, particularly during World War II and the Cold War. He highlights how jazz music served as an underground lifeline for those seeking freedom and artistic expression in oppressive environments.
In practice
A musician might quote this during a speech about the historical significance of jazz.
Music isn't about music, it's about life.
I don't mind being classified as a jazz artist, but I do mind being restricted to being a jazz artist. My foundation has been in jazz, though I didn't really start out that way. I started in classical music, but my formative years were in jazz, and it makes a great foundation.
I think people have learned that Herbie Hancock can be defined as someone that you won't be able to figure out what he's going to do next. The sky is the limit as far as I'm concerned.
One thing that sticks in my mind is that jazz means freedom and openness. It's a music that, although it developed out of the African American experience, speaks more about the human experience than the experience of a particular people.
I started off with classical music, and I got into jazz when I was about 14 years old. And I've been playing jazz ever since.
It's easy to get sidetracked with technology, and that is the danger, but ultimately you have to see what works with the music and what doesn't. In a lot of cases, less is more. In most cases, less is more.
Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!
I directed my music to the teen-agers. I was 30 years old when I did 'Maybellene.' My school days had long been over when I did 'School Day,' but I was thinking of them.
Where I come from it was really unheard of to be at a party and someone says, 'What kind of music do you make?', and you say, 'Pop music.' You may as well have 'I'm not cool' stamped on your forehead.
The Maestro says it's Mozart but it sounds like bubble gum when you're waiting for the miracle to come.
A lot of people don't realise I came out of the Smoky Mountains with a load of songs.
We weren't listening to guitar bands, we were thoroughly ashamed of being a guitar band. So we bought loads of keyboards and learned how to use them, and when we got bored we went back to guitars.
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