Benny Goodman Recordings

Known as the 'King of Swing', Benny Goodman really knew how to rip it up when it came to the clarinet. His first experience with the clarinet was with one he got at his local synagogue. Since this first extraordinary experience, Benny kept on blowing on his clarinet until his last breath in 1987.

A liberal, well-read, confident, Jewish Democrat, Benny had a large vocabulary and an even larger reputation. Proud of the fact, Benny was known for being one of the first to integrate black and white musicians.In 1925, he became the star of Ben Pollack's band. In 1936 he had his own trio, and from 1935 to 1945 led his own orchestra. In 1938, Benny s band blasted Carnegie Hall with Sing, Sing, Sing. They were the first jazz band to play in Carnegie Hall, and by doing so made jazz a respectable music to listen to. During this time, The Goodman Style became the standard style for jazz clarinetists.

This collection includes some excellent recordings from Benny Goodman's 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall, recordings at Congress Hotel in downtown Chicago, and his weekly program, Swing School, for the Camel [Cigarettes] Caravan.