Benny Green
Benny Green
Hard-bop jazz artist who gained recognition as a member of Betty Carter's band and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPianist
Date of Birth4 April 1963
CityNew York City, NY
british-musician brought color found nuance playing shading supportive
Once I actually started playing with him, I found out how very supportive he was, how much color and shading and nuance he brought to the music.
british-musician course festival holland jazz north ray sea tour
The tour was just Ray Brown. We were booked, in the course of this tour, at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland to play as a duo.
british-musician clinical environment outside recording seem special though
The magic can happen in a studio. Special things can happen in a recording studio, even though it may seem like a clinical environment from the outside looking in.
british-musician harmonies instead juggler
A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges.
british-musician performed playing time various
The first time we performed as a duo, we had already been playing together in various situations.
almost bandstand british-musician people shout similar
I have similar feelings, actually. The intimacy of a club: you can see the people, you can almost feel them; you can't beat that. People will say things, and shout out, it's almost like they're up on the bandstand with you.
asked british-musician close communication feels glad great musical pays
I'm glad you asked that question, because of any musical situation I've been in, the communication feels great here with Russell. He really pays close attention to what I'm doing because he cares.
british-musician
I don't really have a lot of hobbies. I listen to a lot of spoken word. I get books on tape.
attitude british-musician examples serious time
Any time I need to get a serious attitude adjustment, I put on one of their records, and there are examples there for all time to keep us honest and keep us reaching; they'll never be eclipsed.
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He would catapult you forward, and that was his intention with the Jazz Messengers. He would take young people with a potential and help them develop a voice as a player and as a writer.
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Like Russell, I enjoy the fact that when I'm playing solo, if I want to do something completely spontaneous, I don't have to worry about how I'm going to cue the other musicians, or if it's something that's rehearsed.
anyone british-musician dignity four half life love music ray spent treated
Ray had so much love of life and the music. He had so much integrity. He treated the music with so much dignity and respect. I spent four and a half years as a sideman with Ray Brown's trio. Music was his life, more so than anyone I could mention.
benny british-musician met time
No, that's not it. The first time we met was at Fat Tuesday's. Benny was playing, this was, I think in 1989?
associated british-musician music prior
Prior to that, I had associated this music with older people, like my father.