Ain’t Misbehavin’ – 1978
Benny Goodman
A relaxed version and a rare meeting with Mary Lou Williams
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In 1978, Benny Goodman starred at his 40th anniversary Carnegie Hall concert.
One of the highpoints was when Mary Lou Williams played piano on a rousing arrangement of her “Roll ‘Em” which Goodman had first recorded in the 1930s.
The only other time that the clarinetist and the pianist worked together was in 1948 when Williams played piano as part of Goodman’s short-lived bop-oriented combo.
Shortly after the 1978 Carnegie Hall concert, Mary Lou Williams joined Goodman, guitarist Cal Collins, bassist Major Holley, and drummer Connie Kay for a television appearance where they played “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
Taken at a slower than usual tempo, Goodman has a short solo, Williams plays an inventive chorus, and Major Holley sings along with his bowed bass.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald