HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Benny Goodman

Birth of Swing Jazz: Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman

Swing music arriving in the thirties is full of major names, among the largest being dance band leader and clarinetist, Benny Goodman, generally designated the King of Swing. Born on 30 May 1909 in Chicago, Goodman's first recordings were at age 16 as a session clarinetist with both Ben Pollack's Californians and his White Tops in Chicago. Those went unissued: 'I'd Love to Call You My Sweetheart', 'Sunday' and 'Hot Stuff' [Lord]. Pollack would became known as the so-called Father of Swing. Goodman is also listed on the 1979 release of 'The Legendary Earl Baker Cylinders 1926', a collection of poor fidelity unissued cylinder recordings performed in 1926, notably with Fud Livingston at tenor sax and Glenn Miller on trombone. That record is shared with radio transcriptions made in 1926 by Red Nichols. Goodman first saw release in 1927 from a session with Pollack on December 9, 1926: 'When I First Met Mary' and 'Deed I Do'. Goodman's first recordings with Pollack were also Miller's. Livingston had already been with Pollack for a couple of years.

'When I First Met Mary' Ben Pollack and His Californians

Benny Goodman's first recording to issue Also Glenn Miller's

9 Dec 1926 in Chicago Matrix 37218-3 Victor 20394

Trumpet: Harry Greenberg / Al Harris Trombone / arrangement: Glenn Miller

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Gil Rodin Tenor sax: Fud Livingston

Piano / celeste: Wayne Allen Violin: Victor Young / Al Beller

Banjo: John Kurzenknabe Tuba: Harry Goodman

Drums: Ben Pollack Vocal: Joey Ray

Composition: George Little / Joe Verges / Larry Shay

Goodman's first name recordings were released in 1928 as Bennie Goodman's Boys with Jim and Glenn (Jimmy McPartland and Glenn Miller) from a session on January 23: 'A Jazz Holiday' and 'Wolverine Blues'.

'Wolverine Blues' Bennie Goodman's Boys with Jim and Glenn

23 Jan 1928 in Chicago Matrix C-1654 Vocalion 15656

Cornet: Jimmy McPartland Trombone: Glenn Miller

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Piano: Vic Briedis Guitar: Dick Morgan

Banjo: Harry Goodman Drums / vibes: Bob Conselman

Composition: Benjamin Sikes / John Spikes / Jelly Roll Morton

'Jungle Blues' Bennie Goodman's Boys

4 June 1928 in NYC 1 of 2 takes both issued as Brunswick 4013

Cornet: Benny Goodman / Jimmy McPartland Trombone: Glenn Miller

Clarinet / tenor sax: Fud Livingston Piano: Vic Briedis Guitar: Dick Morgan

Tuba: Harry Goodman Drums: Ben Pollack

Composition: Jelly Roll Morton

'That's A Plenty' Solo clarinet by Bennie Goodman

13 June 1928 in Chicago Matrix C-2006-A / E-7398 Vocalion 15705

Piano: Mel Stitzel Drums: Bob Conselman

Composition: Lew Pollack 1914

'Clarinetitis' Solo clarinet by Bennie Goodman

13 June 1928 in Chicago Matrix C-2007-A / E-7397 Vocalion 15705

Piano: Mel Stitzel Drums: Bob Conselman

Composition: Goodman

'Whoopee Stomp' Irving Mills' Musical Clowns

23 Nov 1928 in NYC

Take 1 issued as The Lumberjacks on Cameo 9030

Take 2 issued as Benny Goodman's Whoopee Makers with Jack Teagarden on Shrdlu 7051

Trumpet: Jimmy McPartland / Al Harris Trombone: Jack Teagarden

Clarinet / alt sax: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Gil Rodin Tenor sax: Larry Binyon

Piano: Vic Briedis Banjo: Dick Morgan

Tuba: Harry Goodman Drums: Ray Bauduc

Composition: George Terry / Irving Mills

Another famous drummer with whom Goodman worked was Gene Krupa with whom he first recorded in the band of Red Nichols' Five Pennies on 18 April 1929. Goodman and Krupa recorded together for a couple years in Nichols' band, after which Goodman supported numerous operations before forming another orchestra which Krupa joined in New York City on 18 October of 1933. Goodman and Krupa worked together nigh constantly into the latter thirties. They recorded together on several occasions in the forties and fifties, and appeared on television with pianist, Ted Wilson, in 1967. They also recorded with Wilson in 1972 and 1973, the latter at Carnegie Hall.

'China Boy' Red Nichols and His Five Pennies

2 July 1930 in NYC Matrix E-33306-A Brunswick 4877

Cornet: Red Nichols Trumpet: Ruby Weinstein / Charlie Teagarden

Trombone: Jack Teagarden / Glenn Miller (arrangement)

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Sid Stoneburn Tenor sax: Babe Russin

Piano: Joe Sullivan Guitar: Treg Brown

String bass / tuba: Art Miller Drums: Gene Krupa

Composition: Phil Boutelje / Dick Winfree

'I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues' Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

18 Oct 1933 in NYC Matrix w265164-2 Columbia 2835-D

Trumpet: Charlie Teagarden / Manny Klein

Trombone: Jack Teagarden (vocal)

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Tenor sax: Art Karle

Piano: Joe Sullivan Guitar: Dick McDonough

String bass: Artie Bernstein Drums: Gene Krupa Arrangement: Arthur Schutt

Music: Harold Arlen Lyrics: Ted Koehler 1932

Among Goodman's major credits is his hiring of black musicians at a time when it wasn't normal to mix blacks with whites in the same band. Goodman first backed Billie Holiday on 27 November 1933 per 'Your Mother's Son-in-Law' which was Holiday's initial recording (Columbia 2856-D). He supported Holiday on a few early occasions but they traveled different circles, unlike Ted Wilson, whose orchestra would be famous for backing Holiday. Wilson worked with Goodman regularly through the years, even contributing to Goodman's last known recording in 1985. He first joined Goodman's outfit in time to put up 'Moonglow' on 14 May 1934. This was Goodman's first title to reach the top tier of the popularity charts at #1 per Columbia 2927-D. Goodman could boast nine more titles to top the charts from 1936 to 1943, five of those backing vocalist, Helen Ward, in 1936:

   Moonglow   instrumental   Columbia 2927-D   1934
   It's Been So Long   backing Helen Ward   Victor 25245   1936
   Goody Goody   backing Helen Ward   Victor 25245   1936
   Glory of Love   backing Helen Ward   Victor 25316   1936
   These Foolish Things   backing Helen Ward   Victor 25251   1936
   You Turned the Tables On Me   backing Helen Ward   Victor 25391   1936
   Don't Be That Way   backing Martha Tilton   Victor 25792   1938
   There'll Be Some Changes Made   backing Louise Tobin   Columbia 35210   1941
   Jersey Bounce   instrumental   Okeh 6590   1942
   Taking a Chance On Love   backing Helen Forrest   Columbia 35869   1943

Another black musician with whom Goodman joined forces throughout the years was major arranger, Fletcher Henderson, who joined Goodman in time for a session on 23 February 1935. Come vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton, on 21 August 1936. Goodman also employed Jimmy Mundy as an arranger every long now and then beginning in Hollywood on 27 September 1936 per the unissued 'Don't Be That Way'. Well-known trumpeter, Harry James, wasn't black, but signed on with Goodman's orchestra in January 1937 in time to perform on 'Chloe' below with Krupa at drums.

'I Wished on the Moon' Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra

2 July 1935 in NYC B17766-1 Brunswick 7501 / Columbia CL637

Trumpet: Roy Eldridge Clarinet: Benny Goodman

Tenor sax: Ben Webster Piano: Teddy Wilson

Guitar: John Trueheart Banjo: John Kirby

Drums: Cozy Cole Vocal: Billie Holiday

Composition: Ralph Rainger / Dorothy Parker

'Miss Brown to You' Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra

2 July 1935 in NYC B17768-1 Brunswick 7501 / Columbia CL637

Trumpet: Roy Eldridge Clarinet: Benny Goodman

Tenor sax: Ben Webster Piano: Teddy Wilson

Guitar: John Trueheart Banjo: John Kirby

Drums: Cozy Cole Vocal: Billie Holiday

Music: Ralph Whiting / Ralph Rainger Lyrics: Leo Robin

'These Foolish Things' Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

15 June 1936 in NYC 101256-4 Victor 25251 #1 Billboard

Arrangement: Jimmy Mundy Vocal: Helen Ward

Music: Harry Link / Jack Strachey Lyrics: Eric Maschwitz / Holt Marvell

'Pennies from Heaven' Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra

19 Nov 1936 in NYC 1 of 2 takes

B20290-1 issued on Brunswick 7789 / Columbia C3L21

B20290-2 issued on CD per Columbia / Legacy C3K 47724

Trumpet: Jonah Jones Clarinet: Benny Goodman as John Jackson

Tenor sax: Ben Webster Piano: Teddy Wilson

Guitar: Allan Reuss Banjo: John Kirby

Drums: Cozy Cole Vocal: Billie Holiday

Music: Arthur Johnston Lyrics: Johnny Burke

'Chloe' Benny Goodman Orchestra

14 Jan 1937 in NYC 04237-1 Victor 25531 / RCA 741044 (France)

Arrangement: Fletcher Henderson Composition: Neil Moret / Gus Kahn

On 6 July 1937 Goodman and His Orchestra delivered what TsorT would indicate to be his best-selling recording overall, his rendition of 'Sing, Sing, Sing' (Louis Prima) issued on Victor 25796 which reached #7 on Billboard. Among recordings accounted essential in the Penguin Guide to Jazz [Hull / Wikipedia] is Goodman's delivery of the first jazz concert to be held at Carnegie Hall in NYC on 16 Jan 1938, that not released until 1950 [NPR]. Goodman was also a classical musician, releasing his first classical recordings in 1938 with the Budapest Quartet. He that year also commissioned 'Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet and Piano' from Béla Bartok. Bartok and Goodman premiered the first two movements with violinist, Joseph Szigeti, at Carnegie Hall that year. Upon adding a third movement, 'Contrasts' was premiered in its entirety by the same at Carnegie on 20 April 1940. Movement 1 is a Magyar (Hungarian) military dance titled 'Verbunkos', also called 'Recruiting Dance'. Movement 2 is 'Pihenő' which translates as 'Relaxation'. 'Nebes' is the third movement known as 'Fast Dance'. Goodman would dip into classical music again, such as the clarinet concertos he commissioned from Aaron Copland in 1948 [Wikipedia] and Malcolm Arnold in 1974 [Wikipedia].

'Sing, Sing, Sing' Benny Goodman and his Orchestra

6 July 1937 in Hollywood Matrix Part 1 09571-2 Matrix Part 2 09572-2

Victor 36205 / RCA 741084 (France) / Bluebird AXM2-5537 #7 Billboard

Trumpet: Harry James / Ziggy Elman / Chris Griffin

Trombone: Red Ballard / Murray McEachern

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Hymie Schertzer / George Koenig

Tenor sax: Arthur Rollini / Vido Musso Piano: Jess Stacy

Guitar: Allan Reuss String bass: Harry Goodman

Drums: Gene Krupa Arrangement: Jimmy Mundy

Composition: Louis Prima

'Verbunkos' Movement 1 of 'Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet and Piano'

20 April 1940 at Carnegie Hall in NYC

Issued most recently on 'Bartok Plays Bartok' per Naxos Historical 8.111343

Piano: Béla Bartók Clarinet: Benny Goodman Violin: Joseph Szigeti

Composition: Béla Bartók

'Piheno' Movement 2 of 'Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet and Piano'

20 April 1940 at Carnegie Hall in NYC

Issued most recently on 'Bartok Plays Bartok' per Naxos Historical 8.111343

Piano: Béla Bartók Clarinet: Benny Goodman Violin: Joseph Szigeti

Composition: Béla Bartók

'Sebes' Movement 3 of 'Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet and Piano'

20 April 1940 at Carnegie Hall in NYC

Issued most recently on 'Bartok Plays Bartok' per Naxos Historical 8.111343

Piano: Béla Bartók Clarinet: Benny Goodman Violin: Joseph Szigeti

Composition: Béla Bartók

Goodman's is also the orchestra with which black guitarist, Charlie Christian, came to fame, his initial session with Goodman on 19 August 1939. Among the numerous high caliber vocalists Goodman employed was Helen Forrest, the latter first joining him on 21 December 1939 in New York City for 'Does Your Heart Beat For Me' gone unissued until 1974 on 'For the First Time, Volume 2' per IAJRC-21. It was Peggy Lee on 15 August 1941 for 'Elmer's Tune' and Anita O'Day on 17 January 1945 for such as 'I Wish You Were Waiting For Me'.

'Soft as Spring' Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

11 June 1941 in NYC

1 of 2 takes issued on Phontastic NOST7616 (Sweden) or Columbia 36219

Trumpet: Billy Butterfield / Cootie Williams / Jimmy Maxwell

Trombone: Lou McGarity / Cutty Cutshall

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Les Robinson / Gene Kinsey

Tenor sax: Georgie Auld / Pete Mondello Baritone sax: Skip Martin

Piano: Mel Powell Guitar: Charlie Christian

String bass: Walter Yost Drums: Sidney Catlett

Vocal: Helen Forrest Arrangement: Eddie Sauter

Composition: Alec Wilder

'Tis Autumn' Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

25 Sep 1941 in NYC 1 of 2 takes

Issued on Phontastic NOST7617 (Sweden) / Blu-Disc T1014 / Columbia GL523

Trumpet: Billy Butterfield / Cootie Williams / Jimmy Maxwell

Trombone: Lou McGarity / Cutty Cutshall

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Les Robinson / Gene Kinsey

Tenor sax: Georgie Auld / Pete Mondello Baritone sax: Skip Martin

Piano: Mel Powell Guitar: Charlie Christian

String bass: Walter Yost Drums: Sidney Catlett

Vocal: Helen Forrest Arrangement: Eddie Sauter

Composition: Alec Wilder

'On the Sunny Side of the Street' Benny Goodman Sextet

24 Dec 1941 in NYC Matrix 32053-1 Columbia 3661

Trombone: Lou McGarity Clarinet: Benny Goodman

Piano: Mel Powell Guitar: Tom Morgan

String bass: Sid Weiss Drums: Ralph Collier

Vocal: Peggy Lee Composition: Jimmy McHugh / Dorothy Fields

'Six Flats Unfurnished' Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

25 Sep 1941 in NYC 1 of 2 takes

Matrix 33047 issued on Blu-Disc T1014 / 33047-1 issued on Columbia 36652

Trumpet: Jimmy Maxwell / Tony Faso / Lawrence Stearns

Trombone: Lou McGarity / Charlie Castaldo

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Hymie Schertzer / Clint Neagley

Tenor sax: John Walton / Lennie Sims Baritone sax: Bob Poland

Piano: Mel Powell Guitar: Dave Barbour

String bass: Cliff Hill Drums: Howard Davies Arrangement: Richard Maltby

Composition: Richard Maltby

'I've Found a New Baby' Benny Goodman Orchestra

Radio broadcast of 'Coca Cola Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands'

25 Sep 1943 at Cornell University in Ithaca NY Fanfare Records LP 27-127 / 1979

Trumpet: Ralph Muzillo / Lee Castle / Charlie Frankhauser

Trombone: Lou McGarity Clarinet: Benny Goodman

Alto sax: Hymie Schertzer / Leonard Kaye Tenor sax: Al Klink / Zoot Sims

Bass sax: Ernie Caceres Piano: Jess Staycy Guitar: Allan Reuss

String bass: Sid Weiss Drums: Gene Krupa

Composition: Jack Palmer/Spencer Williams

First issued by Clarence Williams' Blue Five in 1926

'Sugar Foot Stomp' Benny Goodman Orchestra

Radio broadcast of 'Coca Cola Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands'

29 Sep 1943 at The Armory in Springfield MA Fanfare Records LP 27-127 / 1979

Trumpet: Ralph Muzillo / Lee Castle / Bobby Guyer

Trombone: Bill Harris / Al Mastren Clarinet: Benny Goodman

Alto sax: Hymie Schertzer / Eddie Rosa Tenor sax: Herbie Haymer / Bob Taylor

Bass sax: Joe Rushton Piano: Jess Staycy Guitar: Allan Reuss

String bass: Sid Weiss Drums: Gene Krupa

Composition: King Oliver / Louis Armstrong

'Slipped Disc' Benny Goodman Sextet

4 Feb 1945 in NYC Last of multiple takes

Matrix C034263-1 issued on Columbia 36817

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Piano: Teddy Wilson

Vibes: Red Norvo Guitar: Mike Bryan

String bass: Slam Stewart Drums: Morey Feld

Composition: Benny Goodman

Goodman experimented with bebop in the forties. He made some great excursional bop recordings but kept to the swing that was his own. In August of 1947 he joined Lionel Hampton in a rendition of 'Stealin' Apples' for the film, 'A Song Is Born' starring Danny Kaye, which Samuel Goldwyn released in October of 1948. This film also featured Louis Armstrong [Fremeaux / Michael Minn].

'Stealin' Apples' From the Samuel Goldwyn film 'A Song Is Born' starring Danny Kaye

Filmed and recorded August 1947 Directed by Howard Hawks Issued 19 Oct 1948

Vibraphone: Lionel Hampton

Composition: Fats Waller / Andy Razaf 1936

'Stealin' Apples' Benny Goodman Septet

9 Sep 1948 in NYC Matrix 2974-3 Capitol 10173

Trumpet: Fats Navarro Clarinet: Benny Goodman

Tenor sax: Wardell Gray Piano: Gene DiNovi

Vibes: Red Norvo Guitar: Mundell Lowe

String bass: Clyde Lombardi Drums: Mel Zelnick

Composition: Fats Waller / Andy Razaf 1936

'Lullaby of the Leaves' Benny Goodman Sextet

24 Nov 1950 in NYC Matrix CO 44674-1A Columbia 39121

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Piano: Teddy Wilson

Vibes: Terry Gibbs Guitar: Johnny Smith

String bass: Bob Carter Drums: Charlie Smith

Composition: Bernice Petkere / Joe Young

'Bugle Call Rag' w 'St. Louis Blues' Benny Goodman Orchestra Film

Live in Holland on 15 May 1958 Film by ABC Television aired Oct 1959 in the States

Composition 'Bugle Call Rag': Jack Pettis / Billy Meyers / Elmer Schoebel 1922

Composition 'St. Louis Blues': WC Handy 1914

Goodman went back in time to beautifully resurrect old compositions like 'Poor Butterfly' (1916) and 'The World Is Waiting For the Sunrise' (1918) on the 'Danny Kaye Show' in 1965. He and Caterina Valente also rendered his composition with Mel Powell, 'Hi 'Ya Sophia'. Tom Lord traces Goodman recording to as late as a concert for PBS Television in latter 1985 at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York issued on 'Live! Lets Dance!' by the Musical Heritage Society per MHS 7412X.

'Poor Butterfly' w 'The World Is Waiting For the Sunrise' Benny Goodman Quartet

'The Danny Kaye Show' Episode 5 of Series 3 13 Oct 1965

Piano: Lou Levy Clarinet: Goodman Guitar: Al Hendrickson (unseen)

String bass: Max Bennett Drums: Colin Bailey

Composition 'Bugle Call Rag': Jack Pettis / Billy Meyers / Elmer Schoebel 1922

Composition 'St. Louis Blues': WC Handy 1914

'After You've Gone' Benny Goodman Quartet

29 June 1973 at Carnegie Hall in NYC See Wolfgang's Vault #24

Clarinet: Goodman Piano: Teddy Wilson

Vibes: Lionel Hampton Drums: Gene Krupa

Composition: Henry Creamer / Turner Layton 1918

'Let's Dance' w 'Don't Be That Way' Benny Goodman Orchestra

PBS television broadcast of 7 Oct 1985 at the New York Marriott Marquis

See 'Live! Lets Dance!' by the Musical Heritage Society per MHS 7412X

Trumpet: Laurie Frink / Randy Sandke / John Eckert / Paul Cohen

Trombone: Eddie Bert / Bobby Pring / Matt Finders

Clarinet: Goodman Alto sax: Chuck Wilson / Jack Stuckey

Tenor sax: Ken Peplowski / Loren Schoenberg Baritone sax: Danny Bank

Piano: Dick Hyman Guitar: James Chirillo

String bass: Bob Haggart Drums: Louis Bellson

Composition 'Let's Dance': Fanny May Baldridge / Gregory Stone / Joe Bonime

Composition 'Don't Be That Way': Goodman / Edgar Sampson / Mitchell Parish

Goodman died of heart attack on 13 June 1986 in New York City, leaving a legacy from well above one thousand recording sessions, one of the largest catalogues in jazz and popular music.

Sources & References for Benny Goodman:

Benny Goodman (alt)

Biography

Browse Biography

Donald Clarke (Music Box)

Coleytown Middle School

Encyclopedia

Keep (It) Swinging (Goodman in Holland 1959)

David Mullis

New World Encyclopedia

Dave Radlauer (Jazz Rhythm)

William Ruhlmann (All Music)