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Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman is an artist oftentimes described as a masterful father of swing. His impact on musical history stretches well beyond this restricted role, however; Goodman's career has seen him excel in both classic and later jazz styles, explore odd fusion records, and step into serious classical performances. Goodman left an incomparable legacy with some of the best songs and albums of all time — including his spellbinding live sets and relaxing Original Crate Concepts which merge nostalgia with a sonic joyride of timeless instrumentals..
Benny Goodman: The King of Swing
Benny Goodman, often referred to as the King of Swing, was one of the most influential jazz clarinetists of the 20th century. He was a bandleader, composer, and arranger who popularized the swing jazz genre in the 1930s and 1940s. Born in 1909 in Chicago, Benny was the ninth child in a family of immigrants from Eastern Europe. He began his music journey playing the clarinet at a very young age and went on to become a cultural icon, receiving numerous accolades for his musical contributions.
Goodman started his career as a sideman in various jazz and dance bands in the 1920s, but it wasn't until he formed his own band in 1934 that he found great success. Benny Goodman and his Orchestra were instrumental in popularizing the swing sound and bringing jazz to the mainstream audience. It was a time of great economic depression in America, and the upbeat tempo and energizing sound of swing made people feel good and forget their worries, thus helping them cope with their troubles.
Goodman and his orchestra had many hits, but some of their most popular songs included Sing, Sing, Sing, Let's Dance, Stompin' at the Savoy, and Don't Be That Way. His collaborations with vocalists like Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald also helped expand his repertoire and reach a wider audience. He was a musical innovator who believed in pushing boundaries and incorporating new sounds and styles into his music, including Latin and African rhythms.
One of the most famous concerts in Benny Goodman's career was the historic 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. It was the first time a jazz orchestra had performed in one of the most prestigious classical music venues in the world, and it was an instant success. The concert sold out within hours and featured some of the biggest names in jazz at the time, such as Lionel Hampton and Gene Krupa. The concert was later seen as a turning point in the cultural acceptance of jazz as an art form and helped legitimize it in the eyes of critics and the public alike.
Despite his successes, Benny Goodman was not immune to criticism. Some jazz purists accused him of selling out and making music that was too commercial and mainstream. Others felt that he was not innovative enough and was simply repeating the same formula over and over again. Still, Goodman's contributions to music cannot be overstated. His legacy helped shape the sound of jazz and popular music for decades to come.
In conclusion, Benny Goodman was a true musical icon who left a lasting impact on the jazz world and beyond. His contributions to swing and his inimitable style helped define an entire era of music. Goodman was a pioneer who was not afraid to take risks and break boundaries, and his music continues to inspire listeners all over the world. If you're a music lover, take some time to listen to the King of Swing and experience the excitement and joy that he brought to countless audiences throughout his illustrious career. You won't regret it!

LISTEN THE BEST BENNY GOODMAN SONGS IN STREAMING

2023-11-13

Benny Goodman: The Quirky King of Swing

Benny Goodman is often hailed as one of the greatest bandleaders in jazz history, but here at Jazz Joy we're not afraid to poke a little bit of fun at him. In honor of his fondly remembered nickname -- The King of Swing -- let's take a closer look and consider some odd quirks and facts that you may not have known about this famous musician!

Benny Goodman is a household name in the world of jazz, and rightly so. He is known as one of the greatest bandleaders in jazz history and his contributions to the genre are immeasurable. But today, we're going to take a closer look at the man behind the music and explore some of his odd quirks and facts that you may not have known. So, get ready to laugh, scratch your head, and maybe even raise an eyebrow or two!

Firstly, did you know that Benny Goodman had a fear of flying? Yes, the man who traveled the world to share his music with the masses was terrified of flying. In fact, he used to travel by train everywhere he went. It wasn't until he was offered a large sum of money to perform in California that he finally bit the bullet and took to the skies. But, even then, it was reported that he was so petrified during the flight that he spent most of it laying down on the floor of the airplane!

Secondly, Benny Goodman was known for being quite the penny-pincher. He decried the high prices of things like coffee and would often gripe to his band members about how expensive things were. In fact, one time, he was so irritated by the price of a room-service breakfast that he walked all the way down to the hotel lobby to get a cheaper breakfast there instead. Now, that doesn't seem like a big deal until you realize that the hotel was 23 floors up and Benny had to walk down every single one of them to save a few cents!

Thirdly, it's no secret that Benny Goodman was a bit of a perfectionist. He demanded excellence from his band members and himself at all times. However, one of his quirks was the fact that he refused to perform in any venue that didn't have a wood dance floor. He believed that the acoustics and sound quality were far superior on a wood floor than any other kind. So, if a venue didn't have one, he would demand that one be installed before he would agree to perform!

Fourthly, Benny Goodman was a bit superstitious. He was known to carry a rabbit's foot with him at all times for good luck. He also believed in the power of the number 13, so much so that he would often schedule 13 performances in a row. On the 13th performance, he would wear a suit that he believed was lucky and would always perform his encore to the tune of Goodbye.

Lastly, and perhaps the quirkiest of all, Benny Goodman was a huge fan of canned salmon. Yes, the man who had access to the best food in the world loved nothing more than a can of salmon. In fact, he used to carry a can opener with him on the road so that he could indulge in his favorite snack whenever he wanted!

Benny Goodman may have been a musical genius, but he was also a bit of a character! From his fear of flying to his love of canned salmon, he was certainly one of a kind. But, at the end of the day, his music is what he will always be remembered for. So, let's take a moment to appreciate the King of Swing for who he was and what he gave to the world of jazz.
Tag: Benny Goodman, music artist, best songs, artist career
SONGS OF BENNY GOODMAN - THE BEST SONGS OF THE ARTIST
1 - Where or When
2 - It's Been So Long
3 - One O'Clock Jump
4 - Till Tom Special
5 - Amapola
6 - Take Another Guess
7 - A String of Pearls
8 - The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
9 - After You've Gone
10 - Breaking in a Pair of Shoes
11 - Sing, Sing, Sing
12 - Dinah
13 - You Can't Pull the Wool Over My Eyes
14 - Rose Room
15 - Shivers
16 - King Porter Stomp
17 - Bugle Call Rag
18 - Sing Sing Sing
19 - Moonglow
20 - Jersey Bounce
21 - Body and Soul
22 - Goody Goody
23 - Blue Skies
24 - Memories of You
25 - And the Angels Sing
26 - Swingtime in the Rockies
27 - Stompin' At The Savoy
28 - Let's Dance
29 - Don't Be That Way
30 - One O'clock Jump
31 - Chicago
32 - Goodbye
33 - After You've Gone
34 - Stealin' Apples
35 - All The Cats Join In
36 - You Turned The Tables On Me
37 - Ain't Misbehavin'
38 - Roll 'em
39 - Get Happy
40 - China Boy
41 - Avalon
42 - If I Had You
43 - Sing, Sing, Sing (with A Swing)
44 - Down South Camp Meeting
45 - Air Mail Special
46 - Big John's Special
47 - Stardust
48 - St. Louis Blues
49 - Sometimes I'm Happy
50 - Life Goes To A Party
51 - Christopher Columbus
52 - Santa Claus Came In The Spring
53 - Jumpin' At The Woodside
54 - Seven Come Eleven
55 - Shine