Gary Burton

“I think the real test of a musician is not how fast you can play, but how you can make a simple melody sound beautiful.”

“The vibraphone has a sound that's both percussive and sustained, which gives it a unique place in the jazz ensemble.”

“The only 'right' way to play jazz is the way that's right for you.”

“Improvisation is the art of being completely, totally in the moment.”

“For me, the most important thing is that I'm creating a new, original sound. I don't want to be a copy of somebody else.”

“Collaboration is a huge part of jazz. It’s about listening and responding to what the other musicians are doing.”

“Teaching is another way to organize your own thoughts about the music. You have to be able to explain it to someone else.”

“You have to keep exploring. The moment you think you've figured it all out is the moment you stop growing as an artist.”

“Every performance is a conversation. You're talking to the audience and your fellow musicians through your instrument.”

“My role as a bandleader is to create an environment where everyone feels free to contribute their best ideas.”