Benny Goodman

USA

Born: 30 May 1909

Died: 13 June 1986

Years Active: 40, 50, 60, 70, 80

Genres: Jazz

Styles: Big Band/Swing, Swing, Sweet Bands, Big Band

Share to:

Benny Goodman was the first celebrated bandleader of the Swing Era, dubbed "The King of Swing," his popular emergence marking the beginning of the era. He was an accomplished clarinetist whose distinctive playing gave an identity both to his big band and to the smaller units he led simultaneously. The most popular figure of the first few years of the Swing Era, he continued to perform until his death 50 years later. Goodman was the son of Russian immigrants David Goodman, a tailor, and Dora Rezinsky Goodman. He first began taking clarinet less...

• Read more
• Discuss
• Add to favourites