Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman, born Benjamin David Goodman, (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was a famous Jazz musician, known as "King of Swing", "Patriarch of the Clarinet", and "Swing's Senior Statesman".

Childhood and early years

Goodman was born in Chicago, the son of poor Jewish immigrants who lived on Chicago's Maxwell Street neighborhood. He learned to play clarinet in a charity-run boy's band. He became a strong player at an early age and began playing professionally in bands while still 'in short pants'.

Related Topics:
Chicago - Jew - Clarinet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His early influences were New Orleans jazz clarinetists in Chicago, notably Johnny Dodds, Leon Roppolo, and Jimmy Noone.

Related Topics:
New Orleans - Johnny Dodds - Leon Roppolo - Jimmy Noone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the age of 16, Goodman joined one of Chicago's top bands, the Ben Pollack Orchestra, with whom he made his first recordings in 1926. He started making records under his own name 2 years later.

Related Topics:
Ben Pollack - 1926

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~