Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman
Goodman in 1942
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin David Goodman
Born	(1909-05-30)May 30, 1909 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	June 13, 1986(1986-06-13) (aged 77) New York City, U.S.
Genres	Jazz swing
Occupation(s)	Musician bandleader
Instrument(s)	Clarinet
Years active	1926–1986
Labels	Columbia RCA Victor
Website	bennygoodman.com

Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing".

From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 16, 1938, is described by critic Bruce Eder as "the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz's 'coming out' party to the world of 'respectable' music."^[1]

Goodman's bands started the careers of many jazz musicians. During an era of racial segregation, he led one of the first integrated jazz groups, his trio and quartet. He performed nearly to the end of his life while exploring an interest in classical music.