Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman was a popular bandleader and jazz mucician, known as "The King of Swing", "Patriarch of the Clarinet", "The Professor", and "Swing's Senior Statesman". In his early years, he played with the likes of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey in New York studios. In 1934 Benny put together his first big band, featuring Bunny Berigan on trumpet, Jess Stacey on piano and Gene Krupa on drums. With the addition of some excellent, sophisticated arrangements by Fletcher Henderson, the “Swing Era” was born.

Goodman spent the next fifty years recording and touring with various groups big and small, including some very successful trips to Russia and the Far East. He also played many concerts on a classical format that received mixed reviews.
 

A 1989 CBS Records release of classic Goodman sessions entitled, "Air Play," includes one of the popular clarinetist and bandleader's many performances of 'Stardust.' A Goodman rendition of Hoagy's classic is also included on RCA Victor's unique 1960 LP, "The Stardust Road."

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