Musical Diplomacy Quotes

I've performed in China, France, New Delhi, and Indianapolis, and everybody just allows themselves to go at it and have a good time. I think that's what I'm doing through music. It's not about 'I'm from here and you're from there.' It's about unity.

I think we musicians are emissaries. Every time we go before the public, we're there to make converts. We can either be ugly and contemptuous in our behavior, which will turn people off, or else we can carry ourselves with dignity and pride.

I remember I was at a press conference where somebody came up to me with absolute confidence, like he knew me forever, and whispered in my ear, 'You should sing a song now. The Indian audience will enjoy it. Your songs will improve India and Pakistan's relations.' I clarified to him that I wasn't Ali Zafar.

Citizens of India, Pakistan, and Kashmir need to come together and make music.

Music goes further than any border, any language.

In World War II all these countries were completely against each other, complete opposite. Now we're getting them all together, through the idea of music.

When I tour I'm going to countries to play music for people. My presence in a country is not an endorsement or a condemnation of that country's policies. My presence in a country is an effort to connect with people through playing music.

Musicians can travel all over the world and have an audience, because there's no language barrier.

We need to try to unite audiences, unite countries, join musical tastes, unite people.

My idea to bridge the world together with music starting in Asia and going to the West is something that is new, untapped and leading to the future of bringing the worlds together.

Music is unique because you can get behind enemy lines a little bit, get into people's houses and into their heads, on their stereos, and win hearts and minds.

I just sang, recently, for the Prime Minister of Bangladesh - the 34th most powerful woman in the world, according to Forbes Magazine. The United Nations had an event where her son got an award and they put me on this special program on competitiveness and sustainability, and we're talking about doing a world tour of me and the music.

I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music.

I do think that music has a special ability to get behind enemy lines and win hearts and minds.

The world would be better off if more musicians were involved in politics.

I'm not trying to unite Asian people with my music.

If there's anything that would unite the world, it would be music.

We were the first small American jazz group since Sidney Bechet in 1927 to play for the public in Moscow and Leningrad.

Baalbek is so beautiful. It is the heart of beauty in the Middle East - I want to embrace these people with my music. I will try so hard for them. Their president is a Christian, their prime minister is a Muslim. Music is for everyone.

The point of teaming up with American musicians was that there was no better way than that of music to let people from both the sides know what either of them thinks about the other.

When I first was conducting as guest conductor in Europe 25 years ago, I would propose doing American pieces and grudgingly it would be accepted from time to time.

Instrumental music can spread the international language.

[I would like to be] one of [the first pop singers to perform in a free Cuba]. I know the list is huge. And it would be hard to pull off -- I'd have a lump as big as a tostone [fried green plantain] in my throat. But oh my God, what a dream -- it would be the height of my personal and professional career.