"I don't believe in sampling some Tibetan music just to make it sound groovy, but you do your homework, you understand what you're doing with it"
- Jessica Hagedorn
About this Quote
This quote by Jessica Hagedorn is a reminder to be mindful and deliberate when creating art. She is warning against merely using components from other cultures without comprehending the context and meaning behind them. She is recommending that if you wish to utilize aspects from other cultures, you need to put in the time to do your research study and comprehend the history and significance of what you are utilizing. In this manner, you can create something meaningful and respectful, rather than just using something to make it sound "groovy". Hagedorn is emphasizing the significance of being mindful and intentional when producing art, and of putting in the time to comprehend the context and meaning behind the elements you are using.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away"
"Jazz vision is the fusion of music and art a real paradox of same-yet different. Here we play in exchanges, like the hardness of the key of c# major and from the softness of Db major - capturing, reflecting and improvising"
"We worked very hard to make the lyrics suit the music. I can't, like Elton John, for example, compose by lyrics. Elton has a great talent for that. Whatever you give him, including your questions, he composes in half an hour and makes a great song out of it"
