Herbie Mann Quotes & Sayings

“Being selfish to me means that you have to look out for yourself and you don't have to sacrifice.”

“When you get cancer, it's like really time to look at what your life was and is, and I decided that everything I've done so far is not as important as what I'm going to do now.”

“Being stubborn has helped, being selfish is not a bad thing.”

“But when I first got cancer, after the initial shock and the fear and paranoia and crying and all that goes with cancer - that word means to most people ultimate death - I decided to see what I could do to take that negative and use it in a positive way.”

“I always say, if you keep your head in the sand, you don't know where the kick's coming from.”

“I recently formed a foundation to raise awareness for prostate cancer. I feel it's very necessary that men be more aware about prostate cancer and their health in general.”

“My ego is controlled enough that I don't have to be the focus.”

“For me Brazilian music is the perfect mix of melody and rhythm. It just bubbles rhythmically. If I had to pick just one music style to play if would be Brazilian.”

“What I try to do is produce an atmosphere where musicians want to invest in what they do and give to the recording. I hire those musicians who I know will play something creative and interesting.”

“Why do you have to retire at 65? Why can't you start at 70? You know, like wine. Why can't music be that way? My new band, we're playing stuff that's never been done before.”