
Goodman, Benjamin David (1909-1986) Clarinetist, composer, and bandleader hailed as the ''King of Swing.'' Born and raised in Chicago Goodman played the clarinet and led one of the greatest
swing era bands in history. He performed with many great
musicians as drummer Gene Krupa and vibraphonist Lionel
Hampton.
Since the mid 1930's Benny Goodmans swing band has
been a main stay for dance music. Goodmans band played
many of Fletcher Henderson's arrangements who had been
performing swing for several years. During this time the
Benny Goodman Trio featured Gene Krupa (drums) and
Teddy Wilson (piano) who was the first black musician to
play with a white band. As time went on the Trio picked up
other jazz masters like Lionel Hampton (vibraphone) and Charlie Christian (guitar). In Goodmans later
part of his career he played the clarinet as a soloist with classical orchestras and continued with small
jazz ensembles.
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