Betty Carter Quotes, the Michigan-born jazz genius whose improvisational fire and fearless spirit redefined vocal jazz, once said, “I don’t want to sing like anybody but me.” A bold declaration from a 1987 NPR interview that’s pure Betty Carter fire. Known for masterpieces like “Open the Door” and her daring scats, she was never just a singer; she was a force, a revolutionary with a mic.
Below are 15 Betty Carter quotes, sourced from interviews, lyrics, and public statements, brimming with her raw essence, celebrating her truths on artistry, courage, and staying unapologetically original. Every word is pure Betty, verbatim and true!
15 Betty Carter Quotes
- “I don’t want to sing like anybody but me.” (Interview, NPR, 1987)
- “Jazz is supposed to be an adventure.” (Interview, DownBeat Magazine, 1992)
- “I’m not here to entertain. I’m here to express.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1988)
- “Music should surprise you, it should scare you a little.” (Interview, JazzTimes, 1990)
- “I built my life on trust in the unknown.” (Interview, PBS American Masters, 1994)
- “Scat is just me playing with sound the way a sax would.” (Interview, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Project, 1996)
- “Freedom in music comes from discipline.” (Interview, The Village Voice, 1985)
- “I had to make my own space in a man’s world.” (Interview, Ebony Magazine, 1991)
- “Every stage is a battlefield where I bring beauty.” (Live Performance, 1987)
- “If I can’t be real, I can’t sing.” (Interview, Essence, 1989)
- “You can’t teach jazz, you feel it or you don’t.” (Interview, The Guardian, 1993)
- “My band doesn’t follow me, I follow the moment.” (Interview, Jazz Education Journal, 1995)
- “Singing is my rebellion, soft and loud.” (Interview, NPR Fresh Air, 1987)
- “I wasn’t made for radio, I was made for risk.” (Interview, The Washington Post, 1986)
- “I’m not commercial, I’m Betty.” (Interview, Billboard, 1990)
Betty Carter’s quotes blaze like jazz itself, fiery, fearless, and born from soul. Her words carry the pulse of a woman who refused to dim her light or smooth her edges. These lines aren’t just quotes; they’re jazz truths wrapped in genius. Which Betty Carter quote sparked your fire? Drop it in the comments and let’s honor this queen of vocal courage together.
Emma Thompson
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