Benny Goodman may not have led thee most innovative of the big bands, but he took big bands to new heights of popularity and led the way in showcasing star soloists. Goodman openly expressed his admiration for early African American swing bands, such as Fletcher Henderson's - Goodman even hired Henderson and his arranger Edgar Sampson.
Goodman's music was more precise and less spontaneous than some of the better black bands, but he had an ear fro gifted players, the music swung hard, and Goodman played a fine clarinet.
The apex of Goodman's big band career came between 1936 and 1939, when his band included trumpeters Harry James, Bunny Berigan, and Ziggy Elman, pianists Jess Stacy and Teddy Wilson, drummers Davey Tough and Gene Krupa, and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. Goodman's popularity and commercial success gave him the leverage to field one of the first high profile integrated orchestras. One can hear some of Goodman's African American guest stars on Clarinet a la King, Volume 2 (Columbia), On the Air/1937-1938 (Columbia), and Sing, Sing, Sing (RCA).
One can also hear the triumphant peak of Goodman's career and collaboration with black players on Live Carnegie Hall 1938 (Sony). Drummer Gene Krupa swings the band hard, and guests from the Basie and Ellington bands help power the music to new heights. This was also the first time a jazz orchestra played the prestigious, conservative concert hall. It marked the arrival of jazz as a respected music everywhere in society.
Other Big Bands Come on Strong
While Basie and Goodman were the powerhouses of big band swing, several other great bands kept the beat going.
- Charlie Barnet (1913-1991). A sax man with a love of Ellington's sound. Barnet had several hits. He was an outspoken champion of integration, and he led what was probably the first white big band to play the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. One should listen to Swell & Super (Drive Archive), Wings Over Manhattan (Vintage), and Charlie Barnet 1935-1944 (Best of Jazz).
- Bob Crosby (born 1913). A bandleader and vocalist (brother of Bing Crosby), he helped Chicago-style jazz evolve into sophisticated big band swing. He also led a New Orleans-style small group called the Bobcats. A good listening experience would be Bob Crosby Orchestra & the Bobcats (ASV/Living Legends).
- Jimmy Dorsey (1904-1957). This Dorsey brother was a solid Chicago-style jazz clarinetist. He was also a good saxophonist, and one of the first to use the alto sax in jazz. Dorsey's most successful big bands featured singers, starting with Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell. Contrasts (Decca) catches his band at its 1930s peak.
