"Humans are imperfect. That's one of the reasons that classical and jazz are in trouble. We're on the quest for the perfect performance and every note has to be right. Man, every note is not right in life"

Branford Marsalis draws attention to the human condition, our inherent imperfection, and connects it to the current challenges faced by classical and jazz music. He suggests that musical culture has shifted toward an obsessive pursuit of flawlessness, where the expectation is that every note should be precisely correct. With technological advances in recording and editing, along with higher performance standards, both audiences and musicians may now expect perfection in every rendition of a piece, leaving little room for the unpredictability and expressiveness that characterize live music.

Marsalis laments that this search for the “perfect performance” runs counter to the realities of human experience. In life, mistakes are inevitable and even essential; they foster growth, learning, and authentic expression. Music, traditionally an art form celebrating emotional honesty and risk, becomes stifled if every potential blemish is ironed out. This is especially damaging to genres like jazz, where improvisation and spontaneous creativity are central. Classical music, similarly, loses its vitality when interpreted through a rigid lens of technical correctness rather than as a living, breathing conversation between the composer, performers, and audience.

Furthermore, Marsalis hints at the consequence of losing that human touch, a disconnect between performers and listeners. When music becomes a mechanical exhibition of precision, it stops reflecting life’s complexity and unpredictability. The unique imperfections that make each performance special are sacrificed for sterile accuracy. This not only puts pressure on musicians to avoid any error but may alienate audiences who subconsciously yearn for authentic, heartfelt performances that reflect the chaos and beauty of real life.

Ultimately, Marsalis calls for a return to embracing humanity in music, favoring emotional depth and genuine connection over technical flawlessness. True artistry acknowledges, even celebrates, the imperfections that mirror existence itself, making music more relatable, expressive, and profoundly moving.