Ronnie Scott

If someone thinks that peace and love are just a cliche that must have been left behind in the 60s, that’s a problem. Peace and love are eternal.

It’s all music.

The qualities in music I consider most important are beauty, simplicity, originality, discrimination and sincerity.

I’m sure critics have their purpose, and they’re supposed to do what they do, but sometimes they get a little carried away with what they think someone should have done, rather than concerning themselves with what he did.

I was not prepared to play the role of singer in the camp of the warriors

I’ve studied all my musical life, but learning is only good if you do something constructive with it.

One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.

I hate to think of Jazz as black and white, something political.

If you’re making money people don’t think you’re playing Jazz. When you’re not making money they think you’re a great Jazz musician.

Sometimes I sound like gravel and sometimes I sound like coffee and cream.

The beauty of Jazz is that it’s malleable. People address it to suit their own personalities.

I’m a fan first. I believed Duke Ellington when he said there’s no bad music, just some of it is presented badly. As a kid, hanging around Church Street, the presentation of music was so powerful, I couldn’t help but jump for joy. I had discovered art, or truth, or whatever you want to call it; I had seen a light I’d follow forever.

Jazz music has always been a place where anything is possible.

He almost adds a Chet-like sound to it.

Jazz musicians are the only workers who will put in a full shift for pay and then go somewhere else and continue to work for free.