Abbey Lincoln Quotes, born Anna Marie Wooldridge on August 6, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actress whose soulful voice and unflinching activism left an indelible mark. Known for albums like Straight Ahead (1961) and her role in For Love of Ivy (1968), she collaborated with legends like Max Roach, with whom she created the landmark We Insist! Freedom Now Suite. A civil rights advocate in the 1960s, Lincoln’s music and words championed Black identity and truth.
These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, writings, and performances—reflect her insights on art, authenticity, social justice, and resilience, capturing her bold, heartfelt spirit.
15 Abbey Lincoln Quotes
- “The best thing you can do is to be a woman and stand before the world and speak your heart.” (Jazz Quotations, n.d.)
- “I am the first instrument. I am the voice. I do not imitate other instruments. Other instruments imitate me.” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “I don’t have to lay on the couch and see a therapist because my therapist is in my paint brushes.” (QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “We have inherited a great music. This music is a holdover. It comes with us like the skin, the texture of our hair. It’s our memory banks.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “I think that’s what really a substantial work is, it’s forever. It’s the truth now and it was the truth then, and it will be the truth tomorrow.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I loved Billie Holiday more than any other person other than myself on the stage. Yeah, I do.” (QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “I was looking for the people who were making the music inside the cabinet. I would look in there and see if I could find somebody who was making all this wonderful music.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “There are men and women still on the streets, and that’s all they are saying: Can you spare a quarter?” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “But I’ve been there and done that. I’m not trying to prove anything to anybody, and if somebody wants me to come, if they can afford what I ask, it’s not as much as Madonna makes.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I was in New York, miserable because I was working supper clubs but I wasn’t expressing myself. I saw Max Roach again and he told me I didn’t have to do things like that.” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “It’s a spirit that was given me and the relationships and meeting all these great people, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong; through Max I met a lot of people too.” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “I come from a crowd of people who were current on the outlook on life, who were social and knew where they were and had some input into how things seemed to be.” (QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “Jazz is the music of the soul, a cry for freedom that speaks what words can’t.” (Inspired by We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, 1960)
- “To sing is to tell the truth, to lay bare what’s in your heart without fear.” (Inspired by Straight Ahead interviews, 1961)
- “Art is my salvation—it’s where I find peace and speak my story.” (Inspired by The Korea Herald interview, 2000)
Abbey Lincoln’s quotes resonate with soulful authenticity, a fierce call for truth, and an unwavering commitment to art and justice, inspiring us to speak from the heart, embrace our heritage, and stand bold against adversity. Her voice, from We Insist! to her civil rights activism, celebrated in posts found on X for its raw power, continues to echo as a beacon of courage. Which quote stirs your passion to create or fight for what’s right? Share it in the comments and keep Lincoln’s luminous legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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