Oscar Peterson quotes

I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea. (Oscar Peterson)
If you have something to say of any worth then people will listen to you. View quote
Oscar Peterson
The music field was the first to break down racial barriers, because in order to play together, you have to love the people you are playing with, and if you have any racial inhibitions, you wouldn't be able to do that. View quote
Oscar Peterson
You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That's jazz. View quote
Oscar Peterson
I play as I feel. View quote
Oscar Peterson
It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo. View quote
Oscar Peterson
I am the worlds laziest writer. View quote
Oscar Peterson
We're not like pop musicians who have to perform the same top ten tunes every night of a tour. View quote
Oscar Peterson
I don't do something because I think it will sell 30 million albums. I couldn't care less. If it sells one, it sells one. View quote
Oscar Peterson
I don't believe that a lot of the things I hear on the air today are going to be played for as long a time as Coleman Hawkins records or Brahms concertos. View quote
Oscar Peterson
Some people try to get very philosophical and cerebral about what they're trying to say with jazz. You don't need any prologues, you just play. (Oscar Peterson)
Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing. View quote
Oscar Peterson
I have no one style. View quote
Oscar Peterson
Montreal was a very active jazz center until club owners started putting in strippers instead of music. Before long, there was nothing to hear. View quote
Oscar Peterson