When Swing Was King [PA]

Performer: Benny Goodman
Producer: Wayne Knight
Distributor: City Hall

Notes: Benny Goodman: Frances Hunt, Helen Ward (vocals); Toots Mondello (alto, alto saxophone); Harry James, Ziggy Elman (trumpet); Teddy Wilson (piano); Lionel Hampton (vibraphone, xylophone); Gene Krupa (drums). Personnel: Benny Goodman (clarinet); Frances Hunt (vocals); Arnold Covey, Allan Reuss (guitar); Buff Estes, George Koenig, Bill DePew, Hymie Schertzer (alto saxophone); Arthur Rollini, Bus Bassey, Jerry Jerome, Vido Musso (tenor saxophone); Chris Griffin , Irving Goodman, Johnny Martel, Jimmy Maxwell (trumpet); Ted Vesely, Murray McEachern, Vernon Brown, Red Ballard (trombone); Fletcher Henderson, Jess Stacy (piano); Nick Fatool (drums). Liner Note Author: Scott Yanow . Recording information: CBS, Madhattan Room, Hotel Pennsylvania, New York, NY (12/25/1936-10/23/1939); Empire Room, Wladolf-Astoria Hotel, New York, NY (12/25/1936-10/23/1939). Whether Benny Goodman was really the king of swing or not doesn't really matter. Goodman was one of the most popular and influential bandleaders ever, whose bands ultimately defied that era's racial taboos, and were also a school for many gifted jazz soloists and leaders-to-be. WHEN SWING WAS KING has been culled from 1936-1939 radio broadcasts, capturing Goodman's orchestra at the twin peaks of popularity and creativity. As a bonus, some tunes feature the vocals of the first great big band songbird, Helen Ward, and there are also seven tracks of the Benny Goodman Quartet, a `30s supergroup featuring Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, and Teddy Wilson.

Benny Goodman was among the first great jazz clarinetists, with a clear tone and hard-swinging, melodic style that is still dominant on the instrument. His big band of 1935 can lay claim to launching the swing era, as it brought the music of the Harlem jazz bands to a broader public. He premiered the first high-profile, racially mixed jazz ensemble in the mid-'30s, and his groups gave first prominent exposure to such great talents as Billie Holiday, Charlie Christian, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, and many others.

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