Freddie Hubbard quotes

Freddie Hubbard was an American jazz trumpeter widely recognized for his influential work in bebop, hard bop, and post-bop styles. His virtuosic technique and passionate improvisations made him one of the leading jazz musicians of the 20th century. He left a lasting mark through collaborations with artists like Art Blakey and his own acclaimed recordings. Here are 13 of his quotes:

Dizzy used to tell me that I am playing too hard. He used to say to not give everything. Miles used to tell me that too.

Freddie Hubbard

We all kind of grew up together with Art Blakey because we all were young and he gave us a chance to write. We had to write something that was good and to sit up with a great guy like Art Blakey and watch him.

Freddie Hubbard

Well, my sister played trumpet. Can you imagine having a sister blowing the trumpet around the house, Fred? And my brother, he played piano. Everybody was playing some kind of music, so it was natural for me to get into it.

Freddie Hubbard

They always want to sell me as a hard bopper.

Freddie Hubbard

When I got started in New York, it wasn't like it is now. If you were different from Miles and Dizzy, it was very difficult to make gigs and make money with your own style.

Freddie Hubbard

I had heard Ornette a couple of times, but I didn't really know where he was coming from until we started the record and it was beautiful, Fred. It opened up my mind.

Freddie Hubbard

I am in discussions with a label. We are talking about doing something.

Freddie Hubbard

I advise all the young kids to not overwork. You can't be out there blowing hard. You have to pace yourself.

Freddie Hubbard

When you are trying to do something when you are getting started and you are trying to make records for the first time, you want it to be the best.

Freddie Hubbard

Yes, I can play. I can play. I can't play as long as I did and as hard, but I don't think I have to.

Freddie Hubbard

That was the biggest thrill, going over to these guy's houses and having them want me to practice with them and they would show me a lot of stuff, which was really advanced stuff to me at my age.

Freddie Hubbard