Benny Green

Found 7 thoughts of Benny Green

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.

I don't really have a lot of hobbies. I listen to a lot of spoken word. I get books on tape.

Actually, I've had very little classical training, although I love listening to classical music very much.

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.

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.

I think there's a natural chemistry between us as friends; and there's really no separation between the rapport that we feel when we're in conversation and when we're playing music, it's one in the same.

We have different personalities, but in a harmonious way, I'd say. Anyway, we were booked to play at the festival as a duo; and we decided we wouldn't have any rehearsal.