Benny Goodman
Well-known as the "King of Swing" Benny Goodman was more than just a great clarinetist and bandleader. Goodman created the ensemble, famous for its amazing unity and integration (both musically and in terms of race). He enjoyed great social influence, since taking black musicians in his jazz band during a violent bigotry and segregation. Goodman made large orders for the greatest composers of his era, including B. Bartok, and A. Copland. He performed and recorded works of Stravinsky, Brahms, and many others. His virtuoso solo for clarinetists has become an example to follow. Benny Goodman introduced with his own unique classic swing the audiences in Asia and Russia, raising his particular style of jazz performance to the international level.
Benjamin David Goodman was born in a family of Jewish immigrants^ David Gutmann and Dora Gutman, was the eighth of twelve children. He learned how to play on clarinet in the age of 10 years. In 1925, he entered the orchestra of B. Pollack, performed with him in California, Chicago and New York. In December 1926, he recorded his first plate. In 1931 he organized a theater orchestra. At the end of 1933 by the suggestion of producer and manager John Hammond, he has recorded a series of large plates, and for this purpose has attracted several talented Negro musicians. Moreover, he has made several recordings with Billie Holiday. In 1934, Goodman and his brother Harry have created a swing big band, which received a world fame two years later. At the time of culminating peak of his orchestral and swing in general, Goodman received his title - "King of Swing", which he was awarded by the press and fans (Firestone, 86). "Initial capital" of Goodman’s Orchestra was 36 finished arrangements, written by F. Henderson. The impact of this music on a white audience by the exquisitely elegant Goodman interpretation was stunning. Negro orchestras that existed since the mid-1920s, could not compete with numerous commercial swing bands of white, and the masses did not know them (Bryan, 145).
All his combos, in which he gave the Negro soloists leading roles, often recognized even more successful and interesting than the big-bend samples, in terms of the jazz quality and specificity of swing. Goodman was the first one, who introduced the vibraphone in small ensemble in the role of the leading solo instrument, and a little later - the electric guitar. Goodman was the first jazz musician who has achieved success in the classical music genre. The name Goodman is associated with the first philharmonic jazz concerts, which was marked by a remarkable concert at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1938. For the first time in the history of the hall there sounded jazz music, including the song «Sing, sing, sing ". This composition is considered to be the unofficial anthem of the swing era, and was subsequently entered in the "Grammy" Hall of Fame. Benny Goodman’s execution feature of the composition was in the fact that, unlike the standard records with the duration of 3 minutes, the version of the Goodman’s orchestra lasted 8 minutes 43 seconds.
As a clarinetist, Goodman has influenced many musicians in the sphere of dixieland, swing and modern jazz. He brought up a whole galaxy of "stars", prominent bandleader, arranger and composer. He is also known as a professional music teacher. In 1941 he published a book about the clarinet playing. In addition, he wrote the book "The Kingdom of Swing". He is the author of numerous musical works, including Lullaby In Rhythm, Do not Be That Way, Flyin 'Home, Soft Winds, Air Mail Special, and others. During his 60-year life, Goodman received countless awards, covering an honorary doctorate from Yale University and a medal from the conservatory "Peabody."(Collier, 118)
The role of Goodman in the history of jazz cannot be overestimated: he has helped many Negro musicians to achieve public recognition, expanded the scope of solo improvisation in the big band, to a large extent contributed to the preservation and development of traditions of hot jazz under the swing style, enriched the expressive resources of big band and chamber jazz ensemble.
He died on June 13, 1986, after a rehearsal at Lincoln Center.
Works Cited:
Bryan, Mary.100 Years at Hull House. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990.
Collier, James. Benny Goodman and the Swing Era. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.
Firestone, Ross. Swing, Swing, Swing: The Life and Times of Benny Goodman. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1993.
