Benjamin David Benny Goodman grew up in a Chicago ghetto, one of twelve children of an immigrant tailor who had fled Russian anti-Semitism. He received his first clarinet and musical training from a local synagogue, then continued study through Hull House, a social-service agency for the under privileged. His most important teacher was Franz Schoeppe, a classical instructor from the Chicago Musical College who disdained jazz and instilled in his students (who included Jimmy Noone and Buster Bailey respect for classical musicianship. Goodman studied with Schoeppe for two years, emerging a skilled musician.
After his father died, fourteen-year-old Benny helped support his family by playing at a Chicago neighborhood dance hall and working locally for two years. In 1925 he was hired by bandleader and drummer Ben Pollack. When the band was between jobs, Goodman jammed with members of the Austin High Gang (Dave Tough, Bud Freeman and others) who introduced him to the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and the Dixieland clarinet style of Leon Rappolo. Goodman accompanied Pollack to New York in 1928 and then joined Red Nichols in 1929.
In 1933 Goodman accepted an offer by the legendary producer John Hammond to record for Columbia's English market, which was more receptive to jazz than were Americans. In that year also, Benny appeared at Bessie Smith's last and Billie Holiday's first recording sessions. Hammond urged Goodman to hire Teddy Wilson and Lionel Hampton for his small combo, which also included drummer Gene Krupa; the group became the first interracial jazz ensemble to perform in public.
On Hammond's advice in 1934, Goodman purchased from the struggling bandleader Fletcher Henderson several of the hot big-band arrangements that helped to make his band's reputation. Henderson's material was tepidly received at first, because fans were accustomed to hearing a white band play "sweet" music. At a dance in Los Angeles's Palomar Ballroom on August 21, 1935, Goodman, fed up with the sweet charts, boldly called for Henderson's flag-wavers. The crowd was wildly enthusiastic. As much as any single event could have, this performance marked the advent of the Swing Era.
Sing, Sing, Sing
wav. file [1:16.78sec] 846.494 kb - the long versionSing, Sing, Sing wav. file - the short version
"THE Benny Goodman SONG EVER (to some folk's ear)!!!"
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updated 6/24/99
