Early Life    Talent and Success   When Benny was 16, he was
hired by the Ben Pollack band and moved to Los Angeles. He
remained with the band for four years, and became a featured
soloist. In 1929, the year that marked the onset of the Great
Depression and a time of distress for America, Benny left the
Ben Pollack band to participate in recording sessions and radio
shows in New York City.  Then, in 1933, Benny began to work with
John Hammond, a jazz promoter who would later help to launch the
recording careers of Billie Holiday and Count Basie, among many
others. Hammond wanted Benny to record with drummer Gene Krupa
and trombonist Jack Teagarden, and the result of this recording
session was the onset of Benny's national popularity. Later, in
1942, Benny would marry Alice Hammond Duckworth, John Hammond's
sister, and have two daughters: Rachel, who became a concert
pianist, and Benji, who became a cellist.  Benny led his first
band in 1934 and began a few-month stint at Billy Rose's Music
Hall, playing Fletc