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. Benny Green catapultdevelopforward Change image and share on social
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. Benny Green adjustmentattitudeeclipse Change image and share on social
Just to be around that, to feel a part of it and be able to integrate the experience while I was with the Messengers, of going and playing gigs with other drummers, gave me the chance to realize that it was not just me that was making it happen. Benny Green chancedrummerexperience share on social
We have fun, we listen to one another, we challenge one another, we trust one another. We're doing what we enjoy, and we're not just playing for each other, we're playing for the people. Benny Green challengeenjoyfun Change image and share on social
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 Green browndignityhalf share on social
Actually, I've had very little classical training, although I love listening to classical music very much. Benny Green classicalhavelisten Change image and share on social
Art was carrying me a lot of the time. When you're accustomed to playing with Art, and you play with other drummers, it's as if the bottom dropped out. Benny Green accustomartbottom Change image and share on social
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. Benny Green bandstandbeatclub share on social
You know, there're no rules between Russell and I. We don't want to have to have to talk too much, because it's really precious, really special to play music. Benny Green musicplayprecious Change image and share on social
The first time we performed as a duo, we had already been playing together in various situations. Benny Green duoperformplay Change image and share on social
