Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2018 December 20

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December 20

Comments by an African-American Jazz musician on the use of accidentals in Jazz: Is this a myth or did someone say it?

Hello,

I have heard the following from a source i have now forgotten (not verbatim!):

An African-American jazz musician was interviewed and asked why he has so many accidentals (sharps/flats) in his music, to which he replied "Around here, we try to stay away from the white keys!" (On a piano?)

This comment is somewhat humorous, although perhaps not appropriate to many people's tastes for the racial implications.... But did someone really say this, or is this one of many many myths that are just made up because it sounds "good" or "funny" or "shocking" ? If it is real, who said it? Are there any prominent sources? I haven't found this by search engines.

Thanks! 216.173.144.149 (talk) 19:38, 20 December 2018 (UTC)