Jazz Swing Legend #1: Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman (born 1909) is an American clarinetist, bandleader, and composer. He was a pioneer of swing music, a genre of jazz that emerged in the 1930s and dominated American popular music until the end of World War II. Goodman is often referred to as the “King of Swing” and is credited with popularizing the genre and bringing it to a wider audience.

Goodman began his musical career as an accompanist in various jazz bands, but it wasn’t until he formed his own orchestra in 1934 that he became a household name. He is known for his virtuosity on the clarinet and for bringing together a group of talented musicians who played jazz, swing, and classical music. His orchestra was one of the first to feature African-American musicians, including Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson, and his concerts help for breaking down racial barriers in the music industry.

Some of his most famous records are “Sing, Sing, Sing”, “Let’s Dance” and “King Porter Stomp”. He is also known for his innovative use of swing arrangements in classical compositions such as Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. In addition to his music career, Goodman is a humanitarian who has used his fame and influence to fight for racial equality and social justice.

Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Coltrane