BENNY GOODMAN
1909 - 1986


     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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