Gretchen Parlato Quotes

Powerful Gretchen Parlato for Daily Growth

About Gretchen Parlato

Gretchen Parlato is an acclaimed American jazz vocalist known for her unique approach to scat singing and innovative improvisation techniques. Born on September 13, 1978, in Los Angeles, California, Parlato grew up in a family where music was a significant part of everyday life. Her father, a classical pianist, and her mother, a gospel singer, nurtured her musical talents from an early age. Parlato's formal training began at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, where she studied Jazz Studies. However, it was her encounter with vocal coach Linda Sobel, who introduced her to the world of jazz vocals and improvisation, that truly shaped Parlato's career. In 2005, Parlato released her debut album, "In a Dream," which showcased her distinctive style and earned her widespread recognition. The album featured collaborations with notable musicians like Esperanza Spalding, Leo Genovese, and Terri Lyne Carrington. In 2011, she released "The Lost Movements," an ambitious project that combined spoken word poetry with jazz improvisation. Throughout her career, Parlato has been influenced by a diverse range of artists, including Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, and Pat Metheny. Her music is characterized by its lyrical quality, emotional depth, and intricate harmony. In 2016, she released "Gretchen Parlato's Standard Variables," an album that saw her reimagining classic jazz standards with a modern twist. Parlato continues to push boundaries in the realm of jazz vocals, consistently challenging herself and inspiring new generations of musicians. Her dedication to her craft and innovative spirit have solidified her place as a leading figure in contemporary jazz music.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is a form of communication without words."

This quote highlights that music, in essence, transcends the constraints of spoken language to express emotions, ideas, or stories. It communicates universal feelings and experiences through rhythm, melody, and harmony. Music can evoke strong sentiments, create shared moments, and bridge cultural gaps, making it a powerful tool for human connection and understanding.


"The more I listen, the more I learn."

The quote by Gretchen Parlato, "The more I listen, the more I learn," emphasizes the importance of being an active listener to gain knowledge and grow personally and professionally. By focusing on listening rather than speaking, one can absorb valuable insights, understand others better, and foster meaningful connections with those around them. This quote underscores the idea that wisdom and growth come not just from our own voices but also from tuning in to the world and the people around us.


"I believe that every sound has its own vibration and frequency, and that those frequencies have an impact on our emotions and physical bodies."

This quote emphasizes the idea that sounds, much like light or electromagnetic energy, carry their unique vibrational patterns or frequencies. According to Gretchen Parlato, these vibrations can influence our emotional states and even have a physical impact on our bodies. In essence, she suggests that music or any other sound can affect us not just in a subjective or aesthetic way, but also in a tangible, physiological sense. This perspective underscores the power of sound as a healing tool and highlights the profound connection between music and the human experience.


"When I improvise, it's like having a conversation with myself."

Gretchen Parlato's quote emphasizes that improvisation in music is a form of self-dialogue or conversation. This implies that each note, rhythm, or melody she plays during an improvised performance is not just random, but rather represents thoughts, emotions, or ideas flowing from her inner self to the audience. It suggests a deep introspection and connection with one's creativity and feelings during the musical improvisation process.


"Jazz is a form of self-expression that encourages freedom and innovation."

This quote emphasizes that jazz music, for artist Gretchen Parlato, represents an avenue for personal expression. It carries the spirit of liberty and creativity; encouraging artists to explore their musicality and break away from traditional norms, leading to continuous innovation within the genre. Jazz is not just a type of music, but a philosophy of artistic freedom.


It's like, whenever I do any kind of cover, if it's a jazz piece or pop cover, I want to honor the original and make sure that the bulk and the juice of what makes that so great is there, but take it to a different place.

- Gretchen Parlato

Honor, Jazz, Cover, Different Place

If I could sing like a Chaka Khan, an Aretha, a Kim Burrell, if I could do all these amazing runs and belt it out, I would. I've attempted that, and it's not something anyone would want to hear.

- Gretchen Parlato

Amazing, Out, Kim, Runs

Ultimately, I think there's this umbrella term of jazz, and what's cool about not just what's happening with my music but this general sense of what's happening with this generation of musicians, is it's a very broad term, and we can incorporate all types of music, and we can be influenced and inspired by all kinds of sounds.

- Gretchen Parlato

Jazz, I Think, Very, General Sense

You want to have a feeling when you sing that you just love singing; you love the feeling of singing, and you love this feeling of this voice coming out of your body into this world. It's about really getting that most beautiful, pure, centered tone, thinking about the story of each song and the lyrics, and connecting your own life to that story.

- Gretchen Parlato

Love, Voice, Tone, Lyrics

You always have to be ready. When I'm washing dishes, I have to have a towel ready so I can dry my hands and push the record button on my phone.

- Gretchen Parlato

Hands, Always, Dishes, Button

The meditative, calm sound is a reflection of my personality. I've got a silly and a crazy side, but it makes sense the music would come across that way. I do yoga every day and try to keep a sense of peace and calm in my life. I don't have a lot of frantic energy.

- Gretchen Parlato

My Life, Every Day, Sound, Frantic

I might sound like the weird artist hippy girl or whatever, but I don't have a complaint about what jazz is or what I'm doing with music. And that's more of a philosophy on my life. I could find things that maybe could shift or change, but ultimately, it's like that's not a good way to live our lives and think about what we do.

- Gretchen Parlato

My Life, Doing, Artist, Hippy

It's fun to use all of my range; there are so many different colors and textures that come out, revealing different parts of my voice. I know what my voice is capable of, and I try to fit it to each song, evoke a mood.

- Gretchen Parlato

Voice, Mood, Textures, Different Colors

I've always surrounded myself with other artists. My close friends, people I've been in relationships with - I went to an arts high school - even my elementary school was arts based.

- Gretchen Parlato

Always, Close Friends, Based, Elementary School

As an artist, what you do represents who you are. Coming from a genuine, honest place - that's what I'm trying to do.

- Gretchen Parlato

Trying, Artist, Represents, Genuine

For me, the best way to be as an artist is to be completely yourself, letting that vulnerability come through.

- Gretchen Parlato

Artist, Through, Best Way, Vulnerability

Having artist parents, they knew the importance of exposing me and my sister to all types of music and art and making art part of our every day. it was just always there.

- Gretchen Parlato

Art, Always, Types, Exposing

I don't sing very loud, which some people have given me trouble about, but we all have to figure out what our voices are, embrace that.

- Gretchen Parlato

Loud, Very, Which, Voices

I feel like I was always singing. Since I could speak, I could sing. It came very naturally. In school, I was always singing in choruses and choirs. I always loved to sing; it was something to fun to do.

- Gretchen Parlato

Singing, Always, Very, Naturally

I always used to say I'm definitely not a straight-ahead jazz singer, because then there's people who would hear what I do and say, 'Is it jazz? I don't know...' Whatever it is, it really comes down to creating music that makes people feel something.

- Gretchen Parlato

Singer, Feel, Used, Jazz

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