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".

Later years

Depending on who you talk to, Goodman was a demanding taskmaster, or an arrogant martinet. Many musicians spoke of "The Ray", Goodman's trademark glare that he bestowed on a musician who failed to perform to his demanding standards. Musicians also told stories of Goodman's notorious cheapness, continuing to pinch pennies as he had in his poverty stricken youth long after he had attained fame and fortune.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goodman continued his meteoric rise throughout the late 1930s with his big band, his trio and quartet, and a sextet. On January 16, 1938, his band made a famous appearance at Carnegie Hall. By the mid-1940s, big bands lost a lot of their popularity. Reasons include: talented musicians were entering the service, or getting better paid factory jobs; gasoline and rubber rationing during WWII; two long musician recording strikes; the rise of popular singers such as Frank Sinatra; the restriction of agents' commissions to 15%, which made promoting small groups more profitable for them.

Related Topics:
Big band - January 16 - 1938 - Carnegie Hall - Frank Sinatra

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goodman continued to play on records and in small groups. Periodically he would organize a new band and play a Jazz festival or go on an international tour. He continued to play the clarinet until his death in New York City at the age of 77.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Benny Goodman is interred in the Long Ridge Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~