Benny Goodman Quartet

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Benny Goodman (1909-86) was not only one of the greatest jazz clarinetists of all time, and the bandleader whose great success in 1935 essentially launched the Swing era (with him rightfully being dubbed “The King of Swing”), but a pioneer in featuring racially mixed groups in public.

In 1935 Goodman first recorded and performed with a trio that featured pianist Teddy Wilson and drummer Gene Krupa; the following year it became a quartet with the addition of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton.

Their first appearance on film took place in the 1937 movie Hooray For Hollywood, performing “I’ve Got A Heartful Of Rhythm” which is based on “I Got Rhythm.”

This brief but exciting uptempo performance reminds one that many of the stars of the swing era were in their twenties at the time (Goodman was 28) and certainly had plenty of energy.

-Scott Yanow

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