Herbie Hancock Quotes

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Herbie Hancock

Profession : Musician

Birth : April 12, 1940

So much of what I create has been due to the influence of Miles Davis and Donald Byrd, and so many of those that have passed on. Their music, their legacy lives on with the rest of us because we are so highly influenced by their experience and what they have given us.

Herbie Hancock

I've been practising Buddhism for forty years, and that's what has led me to this path of discovering my own humanity and recognizing the humanity in others.

Herbie Hancock

When you talk about 'doing the work', that's the work I'm interested in. What can I contribute as a human being?

Herbie Hancock

The cool thing is that jazz is really a wonderful example of the great characteristics of Buddhism and great characteristics of the human spirit. Because in jazz we share, we listen to each other, we respect each other, we are creating in the moment. At our best, we're non-judgmental.

Herbie Hancock

Each human being exists because there's something they have to offer for the evolution of the universe that only they can fulfill.

Herbie Hancock

I like the idea of an eclectic approach, incorporating jazz with other forms and other genres of music.

Herbie Hancock

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.

Herbie Hancock

When the suggestion was made that I might consider doing music of Joni Mitchell, I thought it was a fantastic idea. Joni, I admire not only for her music but for her person, because she's a person that really stands out for what she believes in.

Herbie Hancock

I'm one of the people who was a pioneer in encouraging musicians, early in the game, to get interested in technology, and now all the musicians are getting into it.

Herbie Hancock

Jazz is about being in the moment.

Herbie Hancock

The spirit of jazz is the spirit of openness.

Herbie Hancock

You make different colors by combining those colors that already exist.

Herbie Hancock

I'm always looking to create new avenues or new visions of music.

Herbie Hancock

It's part of life to have obstacles. It's about overcoming obstacles; that's the key to happiness.

Herbie Hancock

Forget about trying to compete with someone else. Create your own pathway. Create your own new vision.

Herbie Hancock

I'm always interested in looking forward toward the future. Carving out new ways of looking at things.

Herbie Hancock

Sometimes you have to create a vision, a path for a vision. It may not be apparent, and you may have to forge it yourself. And that will be the way to move your life forward.

Herbie Hancock

It's not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.

Herbie Hancock

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.

Herbie Hancock

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.

Herbie Hancock