PORTER TUBB's MUSIC BLOG: TRUE ARTISTS, Part 9: BENNY GOODMAN, "The King of Swing"

Benny Goodman was at the top of his game in 1938, when he had another big break. He was booked to play Carnegie Hal, a gig one critic described as "the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz's 'coming out' party to the world of 'respectable' music." Until his death in 1986, he was the undisputed "King of Swing", a title bestowed on him by the legendary Gene Krupa. During that six-decade run, he gave us some of the most ridiculously great big band jazz and classical music--and made his mark on civil rights, too, by integrating his band, most notably with Lionel Hampton--"If a guy´s got it, let him give it. I´m selling music, not prejudice." Hampton was just one of the legends who got their start with Goodman; others included Krupa and Harry James. As a kid, I remember seeing Goodman on perhaps the "Ed Sullivan Show" or "Hollywood Palace," but it took years for me to appreciate his artistry. The other night, I saw a clip of the full 7 or 9 minute version of "Sing, Sing, Sing", featuring outstanding solos by him and Krupa and it prompted me to write this piece. Let's start things off with an introduction of Goodman and his band by "The Vagabond Lover," Rudy Vallee, then on to a brief clip of "Sing, Sing, Sing," a news report on his death and finally a late-career reunion with Hampton and Krupa.

"I've Got A Heartful of Music"/"Avalon"