Quotes from Oscar Peterson

It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo. 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.

I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea.

I despair about the lack of proper respect shown for the piano. If you want it to sound like a traffic jam, go out in the street and forget the piano. That's not a piano sound.

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.

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.

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.

I am the worlds laziest writer.

If you have something to say of any worth then people will listen to you.

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.

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.

We're not like pop musicians who have to perform the same top ten tunes every night of a tour.

It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo.

Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing.

First of all, I swore it was two people playing. When I finally admitted to myself that was one man, I gave up the piano for a month. I figured it was hopeless to practice.

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.

Mom JIMMY What if the word yes meant no? MOM Go to sleep, you have school tomorrow JIMMY No MOM Quit playing games with me JIMMY Yes

AMBER I'll be black in a minute. Mike Huh?!? AMBER I meant back! Freaking autocorrect. As far as I know, I won't be black anytime soon. Lol!