Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman, "The King of Swing", was the clarinetist composer responsible for multiple hit singles as a band leader before World War II.


Benny Goodman, "The King of Swing", was the clarinetist composer responsible for multiple hit singles as a band leader before World War II. Goodman left school at 14 to join the American Federation of Musicians. He reached the height of his popularity in the 1930's, when swing was most popular, creating many hits and being the first jazz band to play Carnegie Hall.

Early Life

Clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman was born Benjamin David Goodman on May 30, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois. As an extraordinary clarinetist and bandleader, Goodman helped usher in the swing era in the 1930s—earning him the nickname "the King of Swing." The son of Russian immigrants, he was the ninth child born into the family and eventually he would have a total of 11 siblings. His father worked as a tailor to try to provide for the large family, but money was always tight for the Goodmans.


Jazz Star

Two years later, Goodman moved to Los Angeles to join Ben Pollack's band. He stayed with the band for several years, eventually becoming one of its leading soloists. In 1928, Goodman released his first album, A Jazz Holiday. He then left the band and moved to New York City the following year.

Goodman found work playing on the radio, in recording sessions, and in the orchestras of Broadway shows. During his time there, he worked with such jazz legends as Fats Waller, Ted Lewis, and Bessie Smith. In 1931, Goodman had his first taste of chart success on his own with the song "He's Not Worth Your Tears" with Scrappy Lambert on vocals.

Goodman teamed up with jazz promoter John Hammond in 1933 to make some recordings, including a few tracks with an up-and-coming jazz singer named Billie Holiday. Their work together resulted in the 1934 top 10 hit "Riffin' the Scotch." Other Goodman hits from this time included "Ain't Cha Glad?" and "I Ain't Lazy, I'm Just Dreamin'" with vocals by Jack Teagarden.

Starting his career as a bandleader in 1934, Goodman and his group landed a gig at Billy Rose's Music Hall. The Benny Goodman Orchestra then became a regular act on the NBC radio show, Let's Dance, that same year. Clearly a musician and bandleader on the rise, Goodman had his first number one hit with the instrumental piece "Moonglow."

Making Music History


Goodman's popularity continued to accelerate with 15 top 10 hits in 1936, including "Goody-Goody" and "You Turned the Tables on Me." Returning to the radio, he became the host of Camel Caravan that year. The program ran until 1939. Making his film debut, Goodman also appeared as himself in The Big Broadcast of 1937 (1936). He went on to make several films, including Hollywood Hotel (1937), Syncopation (1942) and Sweet and Low-Down (1944).

Making music history again, Goodman's orchestra was one of the first to perform jazz at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall in 1938. Other legendary acts on the same bill included Count Basie and Duke Ellington and their bands. He also released one of his most trademark songs, "Sing, Sing, Sing (with a Swing)," that same year, which was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. As a bandleader, Goodman was known for being a demanding boss who sought technical perfection from his performers. Many of his players left to start their own groups, including Gene Krupa and Harry James. Around this time, Goodman also faced competition from other popular bandleaders, such as Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller.

Fading Star

By 1940, Goodman's meteoric career showed signs of fading. He scored only three top ten hits that year, including the number one hit "Darn That Dream." Some of his other hits from this era were "There'll Be Some Changes Made," sung by Louise Tobin, and "Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" with vocals by Peggy Lee. In 1942, Goodman married John Hammond's sister, Alice. The couple eventually had two daughters together, Rachel and Benjie.

The American Federation of Musicians called a recording ban in August 1942, which put a damper on Goodman's output. He did, however, release some material he had recorded before the ban and reached the top of the charts in 1943 with "Taking a Chance on Love" sung by Helen Forrest.





Despite his failing health, Goodman continued to perform during the 1980s. He died of heart failure on June 13, 1986, in New York City—just days after his final performance. Not long before his death, he had received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award as well as honorary degrees from Brandeis University and Bard College.

Still remembered as one of jazz's greatest artists, Goodman was featured on a postage stamp in 1996 as part of the Legends of American Music series.

Fact Check
