Benny Goodman

Birth Name:

Benjamin David Goodman

Birth Place:

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department, Writer

Received honorary doctorates from Union College, University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Bard College, Columbia University, Yale University and Harvard University
Was inducted into the radio division of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986
Played in a band featuring Bix Beiderbecke when he was 14
Was 10 years old when he first started learning to play the clarinet
Quote: "If you're interested in music, you can't slop around․"
Known as the "King of Swing," he played the clarinet and brought jazz to Carnegie Hall during the Big Band era of the 1930s
Was one of the first bandleaders to lead a well-known, integrated jazz group
After his death, his musical papers were donated to Yale University
Was pictured on a $0․29 commemorative postage stamp issued in 1996

Fast Facts