[Dixielandjazz] FW: Benny Goodman

[Daniel Barrett]

From: danpbarrett at hotmail.com
To: vinnyn at verizon.net
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:41:10 -0700




It seems fahsionable to indulge in Benny-bashing. His eccentricity, frugality, and admitted insensitivity make him an easy mark. However, let's not forget he was an iconic figure of the 20th Century, and did a lot of generous things for people behind the scenes. (For instance, I heard he quietly picked up a hefty hospital bill incurred by an ailing Gene Krupa).
 
Besides,as Oscar Wilde pointed out, the job of an artist is not to be a "nice guy" (I'm of course paraphrasing Wilde here). The artist's job is to create art, which even devout Goodman-haters would have to agree he did.
 
As Ruby Braff (who idolized Benny) once said, "Yeah..Beny Goodman: the guy everybody hates, and the guy everybody wants to play like!"
 
--Dan Barrett, a BG fan (And alumnus of BG's last band, 1985-'86)
Costa Mesa, CA
 
> From: vinnyn at verizon.net
> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:48:26 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman
> CC: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> To: danpbarrett at hotmail.com
> 
> 
> Yes I had forgotten that Bob and I also misused the word spendthrift in
> another note. 
> Early warning signs of Geezerdom or the result of a misspent youth.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
> [mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Robert Ringwald
> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 4:53 AM
> To: Vinny
> Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman
> 
> Vinny wrote:
> 
> > A terrific bassist, Bill Crow, wrote a book entitled "Jazz Anecdotes" and
> in
> > it are many wonderful and funny stories.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > In the early 60's when the BG quartette we're to record the lp "Together
> > Again" the group would rehearse at BG's place 
> > 
> > The heat was either on very low or off and it being cold, after a few
> tunes
> > Gene mentioned how cold it was.
> > 
> > BG said sorry or words to that effect, left the room and came back with
> > three sweaters.
> 
> 
> 
> What you failed to say, according to what I heard, Benny was wearing the
> sweaters himself, never turned up the heat and let the guys be cold. 
> 
> --Bob Ringwald
> 
> a
> 
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