Milt Hinton

Don’t threaten me with love, baby. Let’s just go walking in the rain.

Your own music comes out of your head and emotions, but it’s not etched in your system.

I’ll keep evolving and put that into my songs.

Jazz improvisation is an elusive genius.

I’m very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it’s a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it’s because it’s something I love to do.

Nothing is so well-prepared as a great spontaneous performance.

The blues tells a story in itself. It can make you happy or give you a feeling to swing.

By giving the public a rich and full melody, distinctly arranged and well played, all the time creating new tone colors and patterns, I feel we have a better chance of being successful. I want a kick to my band, but I don’t want the rhythm to hog the spotlight.

The idea is more important than the style you’re playing in.

As long as I can say what it is that I need to say, then I’ll fit whatever I’m trying to say around a melody.

What we play is life.

The only award I’ve ever worked for or wanted really were the ones that were given to me by the fans. So, whether it’s a platinum record or hit songs, those are the ones that last the most.

Sounds of daily life are musical. I try to absorb the intricacies of sounds as if I were listening to music.

I think that it is important to try to sound like someone, especially early in your development.

I saw music as a way to entertain people and take them away from their daily lives and put smiles on their faces, as opposed to what I see it being now, which is a way for me to actually communicate, and a way for me to tap into my subconscious.