Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David "Benny" Goodmanwas an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader, known as the "King of Swing"...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionClarinet Player
Date of Birth30 May 1909
CityChicago, IL
CountryUnited States of America
memorable kids fighting
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.
done might good-times
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.
moving thinking band
I think I've done a lot in this business, whether through screwball methods or not I don't know, that has helped other bands. I made a kind of road for them, you might say. If I raised my price, they found out about it and raised theirs. But somebody had to start it, to make the first move. 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.
dedication want ifs
If I have something I want to do, I make a business of doing it.
looks jazz
You have to look good.
details substance losing
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.
lonely new-york cities
When I first arrived (in New York), it seemed to me the most terrifying city in the world... all those big buildings. I remember walking on Broadway, looking up at this huge, mountainous place-and being so lonely. But things started to clear up when I met a few people on the street whom I'd met before-all of a sudden there got to be a certain familiarity about the place, and the terror kind of evaporated. There was a lot of playing going on, and the New Yorkers, of course, were a completely different crowd from what I'd known.
white keys perfect
It takes the black keys and the white keys both, to make perfect harmony.
heart thinking play
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?' 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. 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.
people band thrill
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.
band remember difficult
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.
practice play people
People have often said to me, 'You're so relaxed when you play.' Relaxed my elbow. It's practice.
art creativity two
Creativity grows out of two things: curiosity & imagination.
winning want today
Too many young musicians today want to win polls before they learn their instruments.