Benny Goodman

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.

If a guy’s got it, let him give it. I’m selling music, not prejudice.

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.

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

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.

You have to look good.

I don’t like to look back because the whole point in Jazz is doing it now.

Never lose the groove to find a note.

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

I’m surprised Beyonce liked me. I met Beyonce!!

Jazz isn’t the kind of music you’re going to learn in 3 or 4 years or get because you have talent for music.

It seems like I always had to work harder than other people. Those nights when everybody else is asleep, and you sit in your room trying to play scales.

The music scene is more competitive in the States.

Technique is the ability to translate your ideas into sound through your instrument. This is a comprehensive technique . . . a feeling for the keyboard that will allow you to transfer any emotional utterance into it. What has to happen is that you develop a comprehensive technique and then say, forget that. I’m just going to be expressive through the piano.

One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.

You could still improvise but do it with lyrics.

I love it when people hear my music but can’t figure out what instrument I’m playing.

Every time I see a musician – it doesn’t matter what age – that inspires me, there’s always a secret little wish that maybe we’ll play together, because that’s how I learn and grow and so forth, you know. But hopefully there’s a lot more.

There’s always this sound out there that’s just a little beyond my reach and that just sort of keeps me going.

I’m very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it’s a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it’s because it’s something I love to do.

I am attracted to Jazz music for the idea of being in the moment and communicating to people spontaneously.