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Benny Goodman

A Song Is Born

The All-Star Christmas Show

Hollywood Hotel

Benny Goodman Live at the Tivoli Gardens

Stravinsky

Gene Krupa: Jazz Legend

Benny Goodman: Farewell [Collector's Edition]

Born: 05/30/1909 Chicago, IL

Decades Active:
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1890	1900	1910	1920	1930	1940	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990	2000	2010
Biography: In his heyday, jazz clarinet player and bandleader Benny Goodman was the undisputed "King of Swing." He was born the eighth son to an immigrant family of 12 on the west side of Chicago. Learning to play clarinet with an instrument loaned to him from a local synagogue, he started out playing in neighborhood bands. A year after his high school graduation, Goodman moved to California to work in Ben Pollack's band and from there went on to radio work and free-lance recording. In the early 1930s, Goodman founded his own band and began working for Billy Rose and eventually, after replacing Guy Lombardo at the Roosevelt Grill, moved to Hollywood to play his new "swing" music at the Palomar Ballroom. Later, he made major inroads against the racism of the music industry by hiring African American pianist Teddy Wilson, and vibraphone player Lionel Hampton. Others followed. In 1936, Goodman and his band made their screen debut in The Big Broadcast of 1937 and after that performed in several other musicals, including The Gang's All Here (1941). In 1946, Goodman played his clarinet for the animated musical Make Mine Music, and in 1956, Goodman became the subject of the musical biopic The Benny Goodman Story starring Steve Allen. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

DVDs that Benny Goodman appeared in...

Green links represent a title available on SwapaDVD. Dates shown are DVD release dates.

04/07/2009 - A Song Is Born
12/09/2008 - The All-Star Christmas Show
09/16/2008 - Hollywood Hotel
01/03/2006 - All Star Swing
08/30/2005 - Benny Goodman Live at the Tivoli Gardens
06/29/2004 - Stravinsky
03/23/2004 - Gene Krupa: Jazz Legend
08/12/2003 - Benny Goodman: Farewell [Collector's Edition]
03/26/2002 - Stage Door Canteen
03/26/2002 - Stage Door Canteen

DVDs that Benny Goodman worked on "behind the scenes"...

Green links represent a title available on SwapaDVD. Dates shown are DVD release dates.

11/17/2009 - Masters of American Music: Lady Day - The Many Faces of Billie Holiday - Musical Performer
02/20/2007 - The Gang's All Here - Featured Music
11/28/2000 - Lady Day: Many Faces of Billie Holiday - Songwriter
05/27/1998 - Memphis Belle - Musical Direction/Supervision