When people say, "Oh, she plays like a dude," it's usually dudes who are the ones saying it. They're saying, "Oh, she's as good as us." Of course, that's a stupid statement. Esperanza Spalding More Quotes by Esperanza Spalding More Quotes From Esperanza Spalding I’m not gonna sit around and waste my precious divine energy trying to explain and be ashamed of things you think are wrong with me. Esperanza Spalding being-real being-yourself thinking You don't have to be fearless to do anything, you can be scared out of your mind. Esperanza Spalding fearless scared mind People are more used to seeing men who are masters at an instrument than women. When people say, 'Oh, she plays like a dude,' it's usually dudes who are the ones saying it. They're saying, 'Oh, she's as good as us.' Of course, that's a stupid statement. It's totally stereotypical to say, 'We have an advantage on this, and if anyone else can do it well, it's only because they're like us.' I think more men are starting to learn that this attitude is totally hollow and based in imagination. As more women are involved in music, this kind of thing gets said less and less. Esperanza Spalding stupid attitude men The music that I make is pretty sincere; it's from my heart and I love it, and what just happened is more people have started to connect with my heart, and I haven't followed some kind of marketing scheme. Esperanza Spalding marketing heart people What I'm identifying with is the vision or the idea - whatever was the little nugget that started it. Esperanza Spalding nuggets vision ideas People are more used to seeing men who are masters at an instrument than women. Esperanza Spalding used men people Whoever you are, if you know what you're doing, you don't want other people to overtake the merit of your art. Esperanza Spalding doing-you people art Jazz has always been a melting pot of influences and I plan to incorporate them all. Esperanza Spalding melting jazz influence I just think music is so intrinsically linked with images in the culture that we live in that youll be hard-pressed to have an experience with the music without a preconceived notion. Esperanza Spalding music-is culture thinking You can grow up with literally nothing and you don’t suffer if you know you’re loved and valued. Esperanza Spalding growing-up grows suffering I fear that I won't get better and that I won't have time to practice. To be called a "jazz musician" - it's a big responsibility. Esperanza Spalding get-better responsibility practice I love people, and I love to be with people and to make music with people, but my natural state is to revert back to being by myself in my house, which is cool because thats where I practice and write and listen and study. Esperanza Spalding practice writing people Jazz music just resonates with the frequency of me. Esperanza Spalding jazz-music jazz music I am insubordinate by nature. I can't help it. Esperanza Spalding i-can helping The Czech ease has become my saving grace for traveling! Plus,with its light weight and small size, I save thousands of dollars every year in airline fees. Esperanza Spalding light grace years The benefit of the radio is, something beyond your realm of knowledge can surprise you, can enter your realm of knowledge. Esperanza Spalding benefits surprise radio Up-and-coming musicians can easily reach out and find a loving teacher, and that's definitely what happened to me. Esperanza Spalding reach-out musician teacher It's a pity if someone who has a really profoundly potent art to share chooses not to or doesn't fit into this very thin slice of what's desirable and marketable, chances are the public will never get a chance to hear what they're doing. Esperanza Spalding fit chance art When I read, you know, a rough neighborhood of Portland, I'm like - what? - they didn't have kombucha bars there? Esperanza Spalding portland bars neighborhood There's the juiciest music that makes me so happy, music that I need on that deserted island when I'm stranded for the rest of my life, and nobody cares that it's there. Esperanza Spalding care islands needs
