Benny Green Quotes

When I perform, I like to immerse myself in the music, and I just try to get off on the diversity of music.

People in bands don't have the kind of conversations people might think they have. The best things about being in a band are the things that are unsaid.

I don't feel like I'm on a mission. I'm trying to play music that I like to play and like to listen to.

Music is the embodiment of my soul. When I play, I'm not performing a song: I'm becoming it.

Jazz is neither specific repertoire, nor academic exercise... but a way of life.

Sure, I love people, and I want to communicate with people. I mean, what is music anyway? It's a form of communication - at least for me it is. And that's why I play the kind of music that I think - that I hope - can communicate with people.

Music should be able to invoke the natural emotions in all human beings. Music is not notes fixed on apiece of paper.

That's the kind of musical freedom I like: jazz, rock, blues, anything. You adopt different attitudes when you play different music.

When you play music with someone who has a heart rather than playing with someone who is just doing it for money or is cynical it makes all the difference.

The guitar for me is a translation device. It's not a goal. And in some ways, jazz isn't a destination for me. For me, jazz is a vehicle that takes you to the true destination - a musical one that describes all kinds of stuff about the human condition and the way music works.

The way that I've always gone about making music, the rule of thumb, has just been to make what I love.

So the thing is to put out music for music's sake.

I was touched by the magic of music. My way to communicate was through my guitar and music.

I just try to play music from my heart and bring as much beauty as I can to as many people as I can. Just give them other alternatives, especially people who aren't exposed to creative music.

Music is about communication, and the chemistry between an audience and the orchestra is absolutely essential; the performance does not exist in a bubble.

I play only classical music. My pianos are my only big indulgence, but they're a necessity. When I'm playing the piano is literally the only time I can be completely abstract and disconnected from the regular world and yet be connected - to my music.

The act of conducting in itself, of waving my arms in the air and being in charge, I didn't miss. I missed the sensual pleasure of being in contact with music.

I don't like to define my music. To me, music is pure emotion. It's language that can communicate certain emotions and the rhythms cuts across genders, cultures and nationalities. All you need to do is close your eyes and feel those emotions.

I think you have to keep a childlike quality to play music or make a record.

When you're making music, it's meant to be shared with people. Sometimes, even if I'm writing a song, someone else brings a vibe. There's something different about it. If someone can play a better bassline than me, I'll let them do it. I'm just here to fit in and see where it goes.

I like to be sort of grounded with Fish. But, at the same time, I think probably what's unique about us is the way other dynamics happen, where I'll play off Trey for awhile. When we start playing a jam, I don't usually know what's going to happen, I don't have a plan.

To me, using music is creating a shorthand with an audience. And I love music so much.

I always say that music is a small drop in the ocean of life. I was told a long time ago that your horn, or whatever instrument you play, is a means to be in the world.

Singing duets is instinctive, intuitive.

Country is and always will be my heart, but I don't have a problem with it spilling over into pop if it wants to.