I think, you know, people think of the city of New Orleans as a parochial place where it’s a lot of folks who are from there and a lot of big families, a lot of musical families, a lot of history, a lot of tradition, but I like to think of New Orleans as an idea. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
The reason New Orleans is still around is because of the celebrations it has inspired since its inception as a city. I’m always excited about the possibility of what might happen. That’s what drives us, and I think that’s the spirit of New Orleans and the spirit of jazz. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
When you celebrate, it’s something that happens as a group. But when you mourn, sorrow is something that you handle as an individual. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
One of the things I love about jazz music is that intent is first and execution is second. In classical music, execution is first and intent is second, meaning that you must first learn a piece before you can truly add your interpretation to it. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
I think we have gotten to a point as Americans, unfortunately, where we take for granted the magic that life brings and that life is really special and every life matters. We tend to go through life but not take the moment to step back and remember you are here, right now, for a very finite amount of time. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
I don’t see myself only as a member of the New Orleans community. I see myself as a part of the human community. I see myself as a part of the community that’s trying to put things in the world that add value to people’s lives. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
I miss my dad, yes. But I try to honor his memory, as well as all the victims of Hurricane Katrina, through the love I have for all humanity, a love I try to express through my music. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
Culture is important. Wars are fought over culture. It’s not just about folks showing up and being hoity-toity. Culture is about definition. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
A degree is an asset, but it doesn’t mean anything by itself. It’s just another asset. So is being persuasive, having good personality, being smart. Irvin Mayfield Read Quote
