Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman was the first celebrated bandleader of the Swing Era, dubbed "The King of Swing," his popular emergence marking the beginning of the era. He was an accomplished clarinetist whose distinctive playing gave an identity both to his big band and to the smaller units he led simultaneously. The most popular figure of the first few years of the Swing Era, he continued to perform until his death 50 years later. Goodman was the son of Russian immigrants David Goodman, a tailor, and Dora Rezinsky Goodman. He first began taking clarinet lessons at ten at a synagogue, after which he joined the band at Hull House, a settlement home.

The complete long unavailable LP, Benny Goodman Swings Again (Columbia CS8379), FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON CD. It features an all-star formation of the Goodman orchestra, including Jack Sheldon, Flip Phillips, Red Norvo, and Russ Freeman, as well as one sextet and two quintet tracks. This music was recorded with professional equipment live at Ciro’s, in Hollywood. As a bonus, we have added seven rare tracks from the same period, including four alternate versions of tunes from Benny Goodman Swings Again…

Benny Goodman Story album by Benny Goodman was released Oct 31, 1995 on the Blue Note label. Recorded for Capitol around the time of his 1955 Hollywood biopic, here's over an hour of Benny and very hot band revisiting his most swingin' hits. Benny Goodman Story CD music Digitally remastered by Jeff Rach. Benny Goodman Story songs Recorded at the Riverside Plaza Hotel, New York, New York on December 7, 8 & 14, 1955.

Renowned as a virtuoso jazz clarinetist and legendary bandleader, Benny Goodman is also remembered for the works he commissioned from leading composers of his day. Poulenc’s strikingly beautiful Clarinet Sonata was his last composition, while Bernstein’s was his first published piece. Both Gershwin and Stravinsky added their distinctive stamp to the swing vibe which was all the rage in the early 20th century. The jazz flavour of Morton Gould’s Benny’s Gig is heightened by the unusual coupling of clarinet and double bass, while pungent folk rhythms define Bartók’s virtuoso Contrasts.