Background
Goodman was born in Chicago on May 30, 1909. He was the ninth of twelve children of poor Jewish immigrants, who lived in the Maxwell Street neighborhood. His father was David Goodman, a tailor from Warsaw, Poland. His mother, Dora Grisinsky, was from Kaunas, Lithuania. His parents met in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Chicago before Benny was born. He was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist, band leader, and song writer known as the “King of Swing”. In the mid 1930s Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America. His January 16, 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City is described as lithe single most important Jazz or popular music concert in history: Jazz’s coming out party to the world of respectable music”. Goodman’s bands launched the careers of many major names in jazz. During an era of segregation, he also led one of the first well-known integrated jazz groups. Goodman continued to perform to nearly the end of his life, while exploring an interest in classical music.
Early Life
At the age of 10, Goodman went to study music at Kehelah Jacob Synagogue. He studied the clarinet with Franz Schoepp, who was a member of the Chicago Symphony. At the Hull-House, a settlement house that provided social services to the community, Goodman joined the band there. He quickly excelled at his instrument and made his professional debut in 1921. Playing with local bands, Goodman became a member of the American Federation of Musicians at the age of 14. He then abandoned his education to pursue his musical ambitions. At age 16-the year was 1926-Benny Goodman was already a virtuoso of the new style called Jazz, but Jazz would go deep underground the early 130s. For most of that time, Goodman would build a career playing well below his capacities for a succession of commercial bosses. Benny Goodman] lithe King of Swing”, was the clarinetist composer responsible for multiple hit singles as a band leader before World War II. He reached the height of his popularity in the 1930s, when swing was most popular, creating many hits and being the first jazz band to play Carnegie Hall.
Jazz Star
Goodman moved to Los Angeles to join Ben Pollack’s band. He stayed with the band for several years, eventually becoming one of its leading soloists. In 1928 Goodman released his first album, A Jazz Holiday. He left the band and moved to New York City the following year. Goodman found work playing on the radio, in recording sessions, and in the orchestras on Broadway shows. During his time there, he worked with such jazz legends as Fats Waller, Ted Lewis, and Bessie Smith. In 1931 Goodman had his first taste of chart success on his own with the song “He’s Not Worth Your Tears”, with Scrappy Lambert on vocals. Goodman teamed up with the jazz promoter John Hammond in 1933 to make some recordings, including a few tracks with an up-and-coming jazz singer named Billie Holiday. Their work together resulted in the 1934 top 10 hit “Riffln’ the Scotch”. Other Goodman hits from this time’ included “Ain’t Cha Clad?” and “I Ain’t Lazy, I’m Just Dreamin’” with vocals by Jack Teagarden. Starting his career as a band leader in 1934, Goodman and his group landed a gig at Bilty Rose’s music hall. The Benny Goodman Orchestra then became a regular act on the NBC radio show, Let’s Dance that same year. Clearly a musical and band leader on the rise, Goodman had his first number one hit with the instrumental piece “Moonglow”.
Making Music History
In 1935 Goodman went on the road with his orchestra, which, at the time included trumpeters Ziggy Elman and Harry James, pianists Jess Stacey and Teddy Wilson, and drummer Gene Krupa among others. Lionel Hampton was added later. One date on the tour made history: August 21, 1935. That night, the orchestra wowed the audience at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles-an event that many cite as the beginning of the swing era. Goodman also helped break down the color barrier in music at that time by having one of the first integrated bands} making music history again, Goodman’s orchestra was one of the first to perform jazz at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall in 1938. Other legendary acts on the same bill included Count Basie and Duke Ellington and their bands, He also released one of his most trademark songs, “Sing, Sing, Sing (with a Swing),” that same year, which was later inducted into the Grammy Halt of Fame. As a bandleader, Goodman was known for being a demanding boss, who sought technical perfection from his performers. Many of his players left to start their own groups, including Gene Krupa and Harry James. Around this time Goodman also faced competition from other popular bandleaders, such as Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller.
After World War II
The war ended in 1945, and the jazz scene began changing, moving away from swing. Goodman eventually broke up his band and performed with small groups over the years. With musician-comedian Victor Borge, he hosted a radio show for a time. Goodman also starred in the 1948 musical comedy, (fA Song is Born” with Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo, which featured other music greats, Louis Armstrong and Tommy Dorsey among others. He also later recorded the sound ,~~ track for the film about his life, “The Benny Goodman Story” (1955), which starred’ comedian Steve Allen as Goodman. In the 19505 and 1960s Goodman spent a lot of time abroad. He toured Europe in 1950. In 1956 Goodman toured the Far East for the Ll.S, State Department. He went on to tour the Soviet Union in 1962 as part of the U.S. Department’s cultural exchange program.
Death and Legacy
After winning numerous polls over the years as best jazz clarinetist, Goodman was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1957. He continued to play on records and in small groups. One exception to this pattern was a collaboration with George Benson in the 19705. The two met when they played a PBS salute to John Hammond and re-created some of the famous Goodman-Charlie Christian duets. In general Goodman continued to play in the swing style for which he was most known. He did, however, practice and perform classical clarinet pieces and commissioned compositions for “Clarinet.” Periodically he would organize a new band and play a jazz Festival or go on an international tour. Despite increasing health problems, he continued to play until his death from a ,heart attack in New York City in1986 at the age of 77 in in his Manhattan home. A long-time resident of Stamford, Connecticut, Benny Goodman is interred in the Long Ridge Cemetery there. The same year of his death Goodman was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His musical papers were donated to Yale University after his death. Goodman received honorary doctorates from Union College, University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Bard College, Columbia University, Yale University, and Harvard University. He is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in the Radio Division. Still remembered as one of jazz’s greatest artists, Goodman was featured on a postage stamp in 1996 as part of the legends of American Music Series. In taking jazz from the underground to the hit parade, Goodman not only brought its true creators to wide attention, he also gave young musicians a chance to play their song, take it apart, transport it, and then write their own. Before Goodman, working musicians were agents for other people’s music. Jazz made them an active creative force. Benny Goodman was one of the great contributors to the music of America.
1. Benny Goodman Biography-Facts, Birthday, life Story-Biography.com
How Benny Goodman Won Over America: NPR
Benny Goodman (1909-1986)
Benny Goodrnan+Wikipedia, he Free Encyclopedia
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