Benny Goodman

BENNY GOODMAN d1986. American jazz swing clarinetist and bandleader widely known as the "King of Swing". In the mid-1930s, he led one of the most popular musical groups in America. His January 16th 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City, is described by critic Bruce Eder as "the single" most important jazz or popular music concert in history : "jazz's coming outparty to the world of respectable music". His bands launched the careers of many major names in jazz and during an era of segregation, he also led one of the first racially-integrated musical groups. Goodman continued to perform to nearly the end of his life, including exploring his interest in classical music. He died of a heart attack aged 77 in 1986.