Benny Goodman Quotes

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.

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.

If I have something I want to do, I make a business of doing it.

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.

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.

Too many young musicians today want to win polls before they learn their instruments.

People have often said to me, ‘You’re so relaxed when you play.’ Relaxed my elbow. It’s practice.

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.

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.

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