Herbie Mann Quotes

Powerful Herbie Mann for Daily Growth

About Herbie Mann

Herbie Mann (March 16, 1930 – February 1, 2003) was an influential American jazz flutist, bandleader, and composer, known for his versatile style that transcended traditional jazz boundaries. Born in New York City, Mann began his musical journey on the clarinet at age eight, switching to the flute after a teacher deemed him unfit to play the saxophone due to his short stature. Mann's professional career started in the early 1950s, playing in bands led by musicians such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He gained recognition for his work with the George Russell Sextet in the late '50s. However, it was his transition to the flute that truly set him apart in the jazz world. In the 1960s, Mann embraced the burgeoning pop and rock scenes, incorporating these influences into his jazz performances. His album "Memphis Underground" (1969) is a testament to this fusion, blending funk, soul, and jazz. Another significant work from this period is "Push Push" (1970), which featured the hit single of the same name. Throughout his career, Mann was nominated for four Grammy Awards and won one in 1978 for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance for his album "Flute Music." His innovative approach to jazz and his willingness to experiment with different genres made him a trailblazer in the music industry. Herbie Mann's legacy continues to inspire musicians today, as he pushed the boundaries of what was expected from a jazz musician, embracing change and evolution in his music. His unique sound and style will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the genre for years to come.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more you play, the freer you become."

This quote by Herbie Mann emphasizes the relationship between practice and liberation in music (and potentially other creative pursuits). The more time and effort one invests in playing an instrument or creating art, the more they are able to break free from constraints and limitations, leading to a more fluid, expressive, and spontaneous artistic output. Essentially, through consistent practice, artists gain the ability to let go of rigid structures, allowing their true creative voice to emerge.


"Music is like air; it's all around us and when we play, we breathe it in and out."

Herbie Mann's quote emphasizes the omnipresence and essential nature of music in our lives. Just as we breathe air to survive, he suggests that music is a vital force that permeates our existence. When we create or engage with music, we are metaphorically breathing it in and out, partaking in its life-giving qualities. The quote implies that music has the power to connect us deeply, nourishing our souls and bringing joy, much like how air sustains our physical bodies.


"Every musician knows that there's a direct relationship between practice and the freedom to improvise."

This quote by Herbie Mann suggests that mastering one's instrument through regular practice is essential for achieving the freedom to improvise creatively during performances. In other words, the more time and effort a musician invests in learning scales, techniques, and understanding music theory, the more freely they can express themselves and explore new ideas in their improvisations without constraints or limitations. The correlation between practice and improvisation is that practice enables a musician to build a solid foundation of technical skill and musical knowledge upon which they can confidently improvise, allowing for the creation of unique and spontaneous music.


"I think jazz music is freedom. I don't want to argue about what it is or isn't. It's supposed to be free."

Herbie Mann's statement emphasizes that Jazz, at its core, represents a spirit of artistic liberty and creativity. Rather than adhering rigidly to definitions, rules, or restrictions, he views jazz as an open-ended expression where musicians are encouraged to innovate, experiment, and explore new sounds and techniques without boundaries. This perspective highlights the essential role of individuality, spontaneity, and self-expression in jazz music.


"Jazz is not just notes you play, it's feelings you arouse. You can play the same notes someone else has played, but you create something different."

This quote by Herbie Mann emphasizes that jazz is about stirring emotions beyond mere musical notes. It suggests that while two musicians may play the same sequence of notes, their unique personalities, feelings, and interpretations will result in distinct expressions of music. Essentially, it highlights the importance of individuality and emotional depth in jazz, making each performance a unique, emotionally resonant experience.


For me Brazilian music is the perfect mix of melody and rhythm. It just bubbles rhythmically. If I had to pick just one music style to play if would be Brazilian.

- Herbie Mann

Play, Perfect, Had, Rhythmically

Why do you have to retire at 65? Why can't you start at 70? You know, like wine. Why can't music be that way? My new band, we're playing stuff that's never been done before.

- Herbie Mann

New, Like, Been, Retire

The music we're playing now is based on my heritage, which is Russian, Romanian and Hungarian.

- Herbie Mann

Music, Which, Based, Hungarian

But when I first got cancer, after the initial shock and the fear and paranoia and crying and all that goes with cancer - that word means to most people ultimate death - I decided to see what I could do to take that negative and use it in a positive way.

- Herbie Mann

Death, Got, Use, Positive Way

Being selfish to me means that you have to look out for yourself and you don't have to sacrifice.

- Herbie Mann

Selfish, Me, Means, Being Selfish

Being stubborn has helped, being selfish is not a bad thing.

- Herbie Mann

Selfish, Stubborn, Bad, Being Selfish

Think about it: Look at the strides of awareness and treatment and tests that women have had with breast cancer, that the gay community has had with AIDS, because they're active and they talk about it.

- Herbie Mann

Think, About, Treatment, Gay Community

Music allows the great opportunity to play with people who turned you on and you love.

- Herbie Mann

Love, Music, Play, Great Opportunity

I recently formed a foundation to raise awareness for prostate cancer. I feel it's very necessary that men be more aware about prostate cancer and their health in general.

- Herbie Mann

Necessary, Very, Recently, Formed

One of the advantages of not having a record contract is that you can make your own mistakes, you don't need somebody else to organize them for you.

- Herbie Mann

Need, Contract, Having, Organize

My youngest son, who is now the drummer in my band, lives in Brooklyn. My oldest son is about to move out to California, and my daughters are both out of town.

- Herbie Mann

Town, Move, Lives, Drummer

I had sat in one day in Central Park with Bonnie and Delaney, and Duane was playing with them, so I asked if he wanted to work on an album. You never had to say to him how to play the guitar.

- Herbie Mann

Play, One Day, Had, Central Park

I loved the Brazilian music I played. But this is finally me. For the first time I think it's really me.

- Herbie Mann

Think, Finally, I Think, Brazilian

You don't have to live the blues to play the blues.

- Herbie Mann

Live, Play, You, Blues

When you get cancer, it's like really time to look at what your life was and is, and I decided that everything I've done so far is not as important as what I'm going to do now.

- Herbie Mann

Like, Going, Your, Cancer

You have to be concerned with yourself because if you're not on it all the time, nobody else is going to be.

- Herbie Mann

Going, Concerned, Else, Nobody Else

I always say, if you keep your head in the sand, you don't know where the kick's coming from.

- Herbie Mann

Say, Always, Your, Kick

I was raised in Brooklyn, and I lived there for 59 years.

- Herbie Mann

Brooklyn, Raised, Lived, I Was Raised

What I try to do is produce an atmosphere where musicians want to invest in what they do and give to the recording. I hire those musicians who I know will play something creative and interesting.

- Herbie Mann

Play, Give, Atmosphere, Recording

My father's father came from Russia; my mother came from Romania.

- Herbie Mann

Mother, Father, Russia, Romania

My ego is controlled enough that I don't have to be the focus.

- Herbie Mann

Focus, Enough, Controlled, Ego

To most jazz critics I was basically Kenny G.

- Herbie Mann

Jazz, Critics, Most, Kenny

The reality is that what you find out is that your head is the medicine. If your head is not in the right place and you don't think positively, all the medicine technology in the world is not going to work.

- Herbie Mann

Think, Right Place, Going, Positively

By the time I'm 90, I hope to have it together.

- Herbie Mann

Time, Hope, Together, By The Time

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.