Creativity grows out of two things: curiosity & imagination.
BENNY GOODMANSome of the guys I played with .. didn’t go around learning more about their instruments from an intellectual point of view. All they wanted was to play hot jazz, and the instrument was just a means.
More Benny Goodman Quotes
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People have often said to me, ‘You’re so relaxed when you play.’ Relaxed my elbow. It’s practice.
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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 -
Too many young musicians today want to win polls before they learn their instruments.
BENNY GOODMAN -
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 -
When I first arrived (in New York), it seemed to me the most terrifying city in the world… all those big buildings.
BENNY GOODMAN -
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 -
If you want to do something, you do it anyway, and handle the obstacles as they come.
BENNY GOODMAN -
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 -
I’d imagine that a lot of them criticized me-said my technique was too good. Something like that. But I’ve always wanted to know what made music. How you do it, and why it sounds good. I always practiced, worked like hell.
BENNY GOODMAN -
If a guy’s got it, let him give it. I’m selling music, not prejudice.
BENNY GOODMAN -
If I have something I want to do, I make a business of doing it.
BENNY GOODMAN -
Some of the guys I played with .. didn’t go around learning more about their instruments from an intellectual point of view. All they wanted was to play hot jazz, and the instrument was just a means.
BENNY GOODMAN -
There was a refinement about his playing. You know, in those days I played a little trumpet, and I could play all the solos from his records, by heart.
BENNY GOODMAN -
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.
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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