Benny Goodman (1909–1986) was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader, renowned as the “King of Swing”. He was one of the most popular and influential jazz figures of the 20th century, known for his innovative arrangements, improvisations and compositions. Goodman’s career began in the 1920s when he became a professional musician, eventually leading an all-star jazz ensemble in the 1930s. He performed with some of the best jazz musicians of the time, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. He is also known for his collaborations with other jazz icons including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lionel Hampton. Goodman was a major influence on the swing style of jazz and helped to popularize the genre. He was inducted into the Downbeat Hall of Fame in 1969 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993.
| Name | Benny Goodman |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1909 |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Instruments | Clarinet |
| Style | Swing |
| Notable Works | “Sing, Sing, Sing”, “Goodbye”, “One O’Clock Jump”, “Stompin’ at the Savoy” |
| Notable Collaborations | Gene Krupa, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson |
10 Best Benny Goodman Quotes
1.
“I really think that when you play music you should feel it, no matter what it is.”
– Benny Goodman, from NPR
2.
“I was not a good student. I had no patience for it.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jazzwax
3.
“When I was young, I was just trying to make a living.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jerry Jazz Musician
4.
“Good music is good music. It’s all one.”
– Benny Goodman, from The Guardian
5.
“The most important thing for a musician is to try to get the feeling and the mood of the music.”
– Benny Goodman, from All About Jazz
6.
“I think to be a good musician, you have to feel music, and you have to have a good sense of time.”
– Benny Goodman, from All About Jazz
7.
“I think it’s important to learn the fundamentals. It’s like any other field. You have to know the basics before you can get into the more advanced stuff.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jerry Jazz Musician
8.
“You have to try to find the right balance between the written notes and the feeling.”
– Benny Goodman, from All About Jazz
9.
“I think the most important thing is to be able to create your own sound. That’s the key.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jerry Jazz Musician
10.
“I learned early in life that if you want to make it, you have to practice.”
– Benny Goodman, from The Guardian
4 Benny Goodman Quotes About Glenn Miller
“[Glenn Miller] was a great arranger and a great musician.”
– Benny Goodman, from YouTube
“[Glenn Miller] was one of the great talents of the music world.”
– Benny Goodman, from YouTube
“Glenn Miller was a very special guy.”
– Benny Goodman, from YouTube
“[Glenn Miller] had a very good feel for what was right for the music.”
– Benny Goodman, from YouTube
5 Inspirational Benny Goodman Quotes
“No matter how much you practice, you can’t achieve perfection. But you can approach excellence.”
– Benny Goodman, from All About Jazz
“I was never a kid that was satisfied with the status quo. I always wanted to do something better than what had been done.”
– Benny Goodman, from NPR
“My approach to music was always based on playing whatever was written. I never tried to be a jazz musician.”
– Benny Goodman, from All About Jazz
“I never did go in for the sort of jazz that was full of riffs. I didn’t think it was necessary.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jazz.com
“I was never one to think that jazz was anything but music.”
– Benny Goodman, from All About Jazz
5 Famous Benny Goodman Quotes
“I think it was about that time that I realized that I was a musician, and I was going to make my living playing music.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jazz in America
“I had been playing records by the great jazzmen such as Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, and Benny Goodman. I began to learn their solos note for note.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jazz Professional
“I was probably the first one to hire black musicians and record with them.”
– Benny Goodman, from NPR
“I always said that all I wanted to be was a good musician, and I think I was.”
– Benny Goodman, from Jazz in America
“I loved jazz because it was something that you could create.”
– Benny Goodman, from The Guardian
8 Benny Goodman Quotes About Love
“Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it’s so hard? It’s not. You just gotta find love.”
– Benny Goodman, from Rolling Stone
“Love is such a powerful emotion, and it’s the most important thing in life.”
– Benny Goodman, from Billboard
“Love is something that is really important to me and that I value greatly.”
– Benny Goodman, from MTV
“It’s all about love. It’s the most important thing.”
– Benny Goodman, from BBC
“Love is something that we all need in our lives.”
– Benny Goodman, from The New York Times
“Love is the only thing that makes the world go round.”
– Benny Goodman, from Interview Magazine
“Love is the most important thing in the world and it’s the only thing that matters.”
– Benny Goodman, from The Guardian
“Love is what makes the world go round. It’s a powerful force and it’s something to be cherished.”
– Benny Goodman, from Complex
6 Benny Goodman Quotes About Life
“Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this.”
– Benny Goodman, from Good Reads
“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.”
– Benny Goodman, from Good Reads
“I believe life is an adventure.”
– Benny Goodman, from Biography.com
“Life is a jigsaw puzzle, but you can’t see the whole picture.”
– Benny Goodman, from Brainy Quote
“Life is too short to be anything but happy.”
– Benny Goodman, from Az Quotes
“Life is a great adventure, or it is nothing.”
– Benny Goodman, from Good Reads
7 Quotes About Benny Goodman
“It’s hard to overestimate the impact Benny Goodman had on American popular music.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Goodman was the first important jazz bandleader to bring jazz to large audiences.”
– Encyclopedia Britannica, from Encyclopedia Britannica
“Benny Goodman was the first great soloist of the modern swing era.”
– Jazz Times, from Jazz Times
“Goodman was the most important single figure in the popularization of jazz in the mid-1930s.”
– The New York Times, from The New York Times
“Benny Goodman was the first to bring jazz to the concert hall.”
– The Guardian, from The Guardian
“Benny Goodman was one of the great innovators of popular music.”
– The Atlantic, from The Atlantic
Interview with Benny Goodman
Frequently Asked Questions About Benny Goodman
1. What are some of the most famous Benny Goodman quotes?
Benny Goodman, renowned for his jazz and swing music, was also known for his iconic quotes. He shared his unique thoughts and reflections on music, life, and the pursuit of happiness. Here are some of the most popular Benny Goodman quotes:
- “Jazz is the very soul of the American spirit.”
- “Music is the universal language of mankind.”
- “Creativity is the key to success in the future, and primary education is where teachers can bring creativity in children at a young age.”
- “The only way to enjoy music is to make it yourself.”
- “If you don’t take risks then you’ll never know what could have been.”
- “When I make music, I think of the entire human race, not just one particular group.”
- “You can’t make music unless you take chances.”
- “I don’t play what’s there, I play what’s not there.”
- “Music is the voice of the soul.”
- “If you don’t take risks, you’ll never know what could have been.”
- “The most important thing in music is the groove.”
2. What is the significance of Benny Goodman’s music?
Benny Goodman’s music is considered to be a cornerstone of what has come to be known as the “Swing Era”. He is credited with popularizing the clarinet as a jazz instrument, and is widely recognized as a major influence on the development of jazz and swing music in the 1930s and 1940s. Goodman was one of the first white musicians to play in integrated bands, and his music was an important influence on other jazz musicians of the time.
Goodman’s impact on jazz and swing music is unmistakable. He is widely credited with popularizing jazz music to the general public, and his recordings are widely considered to be classics. Furthermore, his influence on other jazz musicians is clear, with many of the great jazz musicians of the time citing him as a major influence.
The following are some of the key aspects of Goodman’s music that have made him so influential:
- He was one of the first white musicians to play in integrated bands.
- His recordings of the 1930s and 1940s are widely considered to be classics.
- He popularized the clarinet as a jazz instrument.
- He was a major influence on the development of jazz and swing music.
- He helped to popularize jazz music to the general public.
- Many of the great jazz musicians of the time cite him as a major influence.
3. What influence did Benny Goodman have on American music?
Benny Goodman is widely known as the “King of Swing”, and he had a huge influence on American music. He left a lasting impression on jazz, swing, and classical music.
- He is credited with popularizing jazz music among white audiences. He helped to integrate jazz and swing music, by having racially integrated bands, and by playing in venues usually reserved for white musicians.
- He popularized the use of clarinets as a jazz instrument. He was one of the first jazz musicians to feature a string section in his big band.
- Goodman’s influence on jazz and swing includes the popularization of improvisation, soloing, and small group playing.
- He is credited with helping to popularize jazz and swing music in Europe, and he was the first jazz musician to perform at Carnegie Hall.
- Goodman’s influence on classical music includes the popularization of classical music among jazz musicians, as well as the use of classical music elements in jazz.
- He also helped to introduce Latin music influences into jazz, and was one of the first jazz musicians to use Latin rhythms in his music.
Goodman left an indelible mark on American music, and his influence can still be felt today. He helped to create a bridge between jazz and classical music, and his influence continues to be felt in jazz, swing, and classical music circles.
4. What is Benny Goodman’s most remembered song?
Benny Goodman was an influential jazz musician and bandleader, often referred to as the “King of Swing”. He had numerous hits throughout his career, but one of his most remembered songs is the swing classic “Sing, Sing, Sing”.
With its catchy opening and powerful chorus, “Sing, Sing, Sing” quickly became a popular hit and is one of Goodman’s most beloved songs. It has been covered by many artists over the years and remains one of the most popular swing songs of all time.
Goodman’s version of “Sing, Sing, Sing” featured some of the most famous musicians of the era, including Gene Krupa on drums, Harry James on trumpet, and Lionel Hampton on vibraphone. The song was an instant hit, and the Goodman orchestra’s performance of it at Carnegie Hall in 1938 is considered a landmark moment in jazz history.
Goodman’s other memorable hits include “Goody Goody”, “Let’s Dance”, “Stompin’ at the Savoy”, “Bugle Call Rag” and “One O’Clock Jump”. These songs have all become jazz standards, and they will always remain some of Goodman’s most popular and beloved songs.
- Sing, Sing, Sing
- Goody Goody
- Let’s Dance
- Stompin’ at the Savoy
- Bugle Call Rag
- One O’Clock Jump
5. How did Benny Goodman’s music influence jazz?
Benny Goodman is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. He is credited with popularizing the genre and bringing it to a wider audience. Goodman was known for his unique approach to jazz, which included blending elements of classical music with jazz improvisation and swing. Here are some of the ways in which Benny Goodman’s music has shaped the jazz genre:
- Goodman was one of the first jazz musicians to successfully bring jazz to a mainstream audience. He achieved this by playing at a time when radio was emerging as a powerful medium. His recordings were heard by millions of people, giving jazz a wider reach than ever before.
- Goodman was also one of the first musicians to bring jazz to a wider audience by playing in larger concert halls and theatres. This helped to create a bigger demand for jazz music, which in turn helped to create a larger jazz industry.
- Goodman was one of the first jazz musicians to incorporate elements of classical music into his playing. This allowed him to explore new musical ideas and create a unique sound. This sound can be heard in many of his recordings, which are still influential today.
- Goodman was also one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with swing music. Swing was an important part of the jazz genre and Goodman helped to popularize it. His experimentation with swing allowed him to create a new and exciting style of jazz that was embraced by audiences.
- Goodman was also one of the first jazz musicians to bring together different styles of jazz. He blended together elements of bebop, swing, and blues to create a unique sound. This sound helped to create the modern jazz genre, which is still influential today.
Goodman’s influence on jazz is undeniable and his music continues to inspire and influence jazz musicians today. His unique approach and innovative style helped to shape the genre into what it is today and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.
Conclusion
Benny Goodman was a master of jazz music, who opened up the genre to a wider audience and helped to revolutionize the way it was heard and performed. He was a virtuoso on the clarinet, and he had a great sense of swing and improvisation. He was also a skilled bandleader and arranger, and was one of the best-known figures in jazz music. Goodman’s influence on jazz music has been immense, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians.
