The birth of big band jazz

Yearning for success in the music business, Benny Goodman quickly gathered a group of fresh musicians, and in showing the might of his band, the hot new group, which had the credit of sparking the swing era, gained national noteriety. Karen Johnson mentions that jazz clarinetists Johnny Dodds, Leon Roppolo, and Jimmy Noone collectively fueled Benny’s inner desire to lead a band (1). Finally feeling seasoned enough to make it in the big band circuit, Karen Johnson adds that Goodman formed a twelve piece big band in 1932 (

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Benny Goodman had a strong set of principles and standards that his band members lived up to, and in living by these rules, the Goodman band toured with success and broke racial boundaries of which had never been crossed. Many of the musicians were enthusiastic, but they were also unique, and in some instances had egos that equaled his own. With the evolution of music, newer and better styles will be created, forever keeping the hungry listeners of music at bay. Goodman also affected the future sound of swing. With the help of his band , Benny Goodman quickly gained notoriety and prestige throughout the United States, as well as introducing the world to newer jazz swing, which, because of racial issues, black bands couldn’t do. In the defense of the black bands of the epoch, Time Magazine writes, “Only the negroes Duke Ellington and Count Basie could boast of better big-time swing bands. Young listeners all over the country tuned their radios to hear Benny’s band play, and Parker adds that with his new mix of hot jazz, like an explosion Benny was suddenly a national star(3). As a result of the popularity gained by the Benny Goodman Band, CMG notes that Time magazine officially marked Benny as the “King of Swing” (2). Additionally, Newsweek states that the Stan Kenton Band, which grew to be one of the most influential big bands of all time, was inspired by Benny Goodman’s creativity (66). In 1938, Benny reached what was perhaps the peak of his career, when as CMG states, “[he] played along with musicians from the Count Basie and Duke Ellington band, [and] made history as the first jazz band to play at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall. He hired such talented artists as Charlie Christian, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, and Teddy Wilson (1). CMG restates Goodman, saying "If a guy's got it, let him give it.

Common topics in this essay:
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Approximate Word count = 1176
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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