Paw Prints Anecdotes: Benny Goodman

Paw Prints Anecdotes

Short, humorous stories about people
in politics, history, and the arts.

Benny [Benjamin David] Goodman
(1909–1986)

Benny Goodman Anecdote...

In the early part of his career, Goodman shared a flat with fellow-musician Jimmy Dorsey. Both played clarinet and saxophone, so there was fierce competition when any job came up. Rather than share the work fairly, they operated on the basic rule that whoever answered the telephone first got the job. Goodman recalls an occasion when there was a tie: "Jimmy got the mouthpiece of the phone and accepted the date. But I had the receiver and knew where the job was."

Biographical Note...

U.S. jazz clarinetist and orchestra leader, known as the "King of Swing." Goodman was famous for his technical virtuosity and the melodic inventiveness of his improvisations. He was born in Chicago. He began to study the clarinet at the age of ten and within four years was appearing with local dance orchestras. In 1934 he organized his own orchestra; by 1936 it had become one of the most popular jazz groups in the United States. Goodman's musical style became known as swing. He also organized smaller groups such as the Benny Goodman Trio, Quartet, and Sextet. He gained popular recognition also for his ability to perform traditional concert music.

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