What is jazz? It, It's almost like asking, What is French? Jazz is a musical language. It's a musical dialect that actually embodies the spirit of America.

Quote by Branford Marsalis

Topics: Branford Marsalis Quotes

Humans are imperfect. That's one of the reasons that classical and jazz are in trouble....

Humans are imperfect. That's one of the reasons that classical and jazz are in trouble....

I'm not going to play funk licks on a jazz album. That makes no sense.

I'm not going to play funk licks on a jazz album. That makes no sense.

It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore.

It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore.

The biggest problem with American music right now, is that kids don't listen. They come...

The biggest problem with American music right now, is that kids don't listen. They come...

One of the things that's clear to me from interviews that I've read is that...

One of the things that's clear to me from interviews that I've read is that...

I like to make records sound good. I'm more like a reducer than a producer....

I like to make records sound good. I'm more like a reducer than a producer....

The whole point is, give me a break with the standards. You go to the...

The whole point is, give me a break with the standards. You go to the...

I think that one of the problems that jazz has is that it's so incestuous...

I think that one of the problems that jazz has is that it's so incestuous...

We played it as long as we could play it on that CD and I...

We played it as long as we could play it on that CD and I...

The piano is the X factor. People have a tough time following the structures when...

The piano is the X factor. People have a tough time following the structures when...

If you're going to use standards as criteria for signing musicians, you can sign thousands....

If you're going to use standards as criteria for signing musicians, you can sign thousands....

Jazz fans love Miles and I love him for a myriad of reasons, but the...

Jazz fans love Miles and I love him for a myriad of reasons, but the...

There's not one Tin Pan Alley song on my record.

There's not one Tin Pan Alley song on my record.

Pop doesn't really look back. It can't. What makes pop work is simplicity.

Pop doesn't really look back. It can't. What makes pop work is simplicity.

You hear it in your brain. Whatever makes sense. Some songs work well as quartet...

You hear it in your brain. Whatever makes sense. Some songs work well as quartet...

If I were like a lot of other people, then it wouldn't be fun; but...

If I were like a lot of other people, then it wouldn't be fun; but...

I gave up my base in popular culture when I left the Tonight Show.

I gave up my base in popular culture when I left the Tonight Show.

Coltrane came to New Orleans one day and he was talking about the jazz scene....

Coltrane came to New Orleans one day and he was talking about the jazz scene....

There's a certain kind of motion and pacing that our music has, and this just...

There's a certain kind of motion and pacing that our music has, and this just...

I think that if you keep banging at the door all you need is a...

I think that if you keep banging at the door all you need is a...