Benny Carter

I play whatever the hell comes out… that’s it.

My creed for art in general is that it should enrich the soul; it should teach spirituality by showing a person a portion of himself that he would not discover otherwise . . . a part of yourself you never knew existed.

While many forms of music may use the dynamic of improvisation, Jazz exemplifies the unique characteristic of collective improvisation.

Jazz is a very accurate, curiously accurate accompaniment to 20th century America.

There are notes between notes, you know.

If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all

I’ve been a jazz artist playing pop and R&B my entire career.

Jazz is America’s classical music.

You can practice to learn technique, but I’m more interested in conceiving something in the moment.

I don’t dig staying in one groove.

I heard someone say ‘What’s that kid doing here? Call your piano player and let’s get started.’

I play whatever the hell comes out… that’s it.

If a literary man puts together two words about music, one of them will be wrong.

We all have idols. Play like anyone you care about but try to be yourself while you’re doing so.

People couldn’t give an F about how many cars you got any more. It’s about the way the music sounds, where you’re going, the experience you’re going to hanging out with your friends, the type clothes that you’re wearing – all of that’s art.

The value of music is to be able to play one note at the right time in the right way.