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There was a lot of playing going on, and the New Yorkers, of course, were a completely different crowd from what I’d known.

Benny Goodman

You have to have the courage and confidence in your own ability. You have to know what the hell and who the hell you are in this business. Music may change, but I don’t think that ever will.
BENNY GOODMAN

Change Confidence Hell Music
I’d never heard anything like the way he played-not in Chicago, no place. The tone-he had this wonderful, ringing cornet tone. He could have played in a symphony orchestra with that tone. But also the intervals he played, the figures-whatever the hell he did.
BENNY GOODMAN

Country Heard Play Symphony Tone
After you’ve done all the work and prepared as much as you can, what the hell, you might as well go out and have a good time.
BENNY GOODMAN

Done Good Times might
As soon as it was understood that we could handle things in our own way, it was the thrill of my life to walk out on that stage with people just hemming the band in.
BENNY GOODMAN

Bands People Thrill
I remember Glenn Miller coming to me once, before he had his own band, saying, How do you do it? How do you get started? It’s so difficult. I told him, I don’t know but whatever you do don’t stop. Just keep on going.
BENNY GOODMAN

Band Difficult Remember
If you want to do something, you do it anyway, and handle the obstacles as they come.
BENNY GOODMAN

Handle Obstacles Want
One way or the other, if you want to find reasons why you shouldn’t keep on, you’ll find ‘em. The obstacles are all there; there are a million of ‘em.
BENNY GOODMAN

Ems Want Way
I don’t have any great love for Chicago. What the hell, a childhood around Douglas Park isn’t very memorable. I remember the street fights and how you were afraid to cross the bridge ’cause the Irish kid on the other side would beat your head in. I left Chicago a long time ago.
BENNY GOODMAN

Fighting Kids Memorable
When I first arrived (in New York), it seemed to me the most terrifying city in the world… all those big buildings.
BENNY GOODMAN

Cities Country Lonely
Creativity grows out of two things: curiosity & imagination.
BENNY GOODMAN

Art Creativity Two
It takes the black keys and the white keys both, to make perfect harmony.
BENNY GOODMAN

Keys Perfect White
To this day, I don’t like people walking on stage not looking good. You have to look good. If you feel special about yourself then you’re going to play special.
BENNY GOODMAN

Good Day People Play
If a guy’s got it, let him give it. I’m selling music, not prejudice.
BENNY GOODMAN

Giving Guy Music
Too many young musicians today want to win polls before they learn their instruments.
BENNY GOODMAN

Musician Want Winning
I think my first impression (of Bix Beiderbecke) was the lasting one. I remember very clearly thinking, ‘Where, what planet, did this guy come from? Is he from outer space?’
BENNY GOODMAN

Heart Play Thinking
Sometimes when you start losing detail, whether it’s in music or in life, something as small as failing to be polite, you start to lose substance.
BENNY GOODMAN

Details Losing Substance

There was a lot of playing going on, and the New Yorkers, of course, were a completely different crowd from what I’d known.

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There was a lot of playing going on, and the New Yorkers, of course, were a completely different crowd from what I’d known.

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Popular Authors

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