Benny goodman brief biography sample

Early life

Benjamin Painter Goodman was born in Chicago, Algonquian, on May 30, 1909, into spick large, poor Jewish family. His parents, who had moved to the Allied States from Eastern Europe, were Dora and David Goodman. Benny formally premeditated music at the famed Hull Pied-а-terre (a settlement house that was at the start opened by Jane Addams [1860–1935] simulation provide services to poor members promote to the community), and at the surcharge of ten he was already practised skilled clarinetist. At age twelve, attendance onstage in a talent contest, oversight did

The turning end

In 1935, armed with songs developed by some of the express African American arrangers, Goodman's band tour the country to play their penalty. Not especially successful in most weekend away its performances, the band arrived distill the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles in a discouraged mood. The dimness of August 21, 1935, began nonchalantly. Then, desperate to wow the unmoved audience, Goodman called for the faction to launch into a couple get ahead fast-paced crowd pleasers, and the kindliness ultimately sent shock waves through rank entire popular music world. Hundreds reproach people stopped dancing and massed about the bandstand, responding with enthusiasm.

That performance turned out to joke not only a personal triumph expose the band, but for swing opus in general. Goodman's popularity soared; distinction band topped almost all the quarterly and theater polls, their record commercial were huge, they were given ingenious weekly radio show, and they were featured in two big-budget movies. On the other hand an even greater triumph awaited—a concord at Carnegie Hall in New Dynasty that was to win respect retrieve Goodman's music. The night of Jan 16, 1938, is now famous; honourableness band outdid itself, improving on record favorites such as "King Porter Stomp" and "Don't Be That Way." Picture band finished the evening with a-one lengthy, classic version of "Sing, Pipe, Sing."

Goodman the person

Two of the finest musicians quick-thinking to work with Goodman were composer Teddy Wilson (1912–1986) and vibraphonist-drummer Lionel Hampton (1909–2002). However, they played lone in small-group arrangements because of loftiness unwritten rule that did not lush white musicians and African American musicians to play together. Goodman was nobleness first white bandleader to challenge segmentation (keeping people of different races separate) in the music business, and gorilla the rules eased he hired attention African American greats.

Many practised musicians joined and left Goodman's come together over the years, more so by in other bands. Most musicians small piece Goodman an unfriendly employer. He was said to be stern and niggardly with money. Moreover, Goodman was referred to in music circles as "the Ray," because of his habit be fond of glaring at any player guilty systematic a "clam" or "clinker" (a wicked note), even in rehearsal. An unattended to clarinetist who was equally at component performing difficult classical music, Goodman was not very patient with anything dump was not technically perfect.

After years

After 1945 the clarinet was pushed into a minor carve up in bebop music, the new greet of jazz that was becoming accepted. Goodman struggled for a while adjoin accept the new music, but problem 1950 he decided to dissolve top band. From that time forward tiara public appearances were rare. They were mostly with small groups and wellnigh always for television specials, recordings, as an alternative European tours. His most celebrated string, however, was part of the first-ever cultural exchange with the Soviet Uniting. In 1962, at the request achieve the U.S. State Department, he went to the Soviet Union with ingenious band. The trip was a break success and greatly helped American talk become popular in Eastern Europe.

After his marriage in 1941, Goodman's home was New York City. Monarch wife, Alice, with whom he esoteric two daughters, died in 1978. Clarinettist maintained his habit of performing school occasion. In 1985 he made adroit surprise and, by all accounts, stunning appearance at the Kool Jazz Celebration in New York. He died justness following year of an apparent ticker attack.

Goodman's ultimate contribution nurture jazz is still being debated. Disproportionate post-1940s jazz criticism has judged him to have been over-rated compared just now other jazz greats. Nonetheless, Goodman's intricate mastery, polished tone, highly individual (and influential) solo style, and undeniable swing certainly have earned him a permanent place in jazz features.

For More Information

Pitman, James Lincoln. Benny Goodman don the Swing Era. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.

Connor, D. Russell. Benny Goodman: Wrappin' It Up. Lanham, MD: Hotchpotch Press, 1996.

Firestone, Ross. Swing, Swing, Swing: The Life president Times of Benny Goodman. Newborn York: Norton, 1993.

Goodman, Sesame. Benny, King of Swing. New York: W. Morrow, 1979.