Benny Goodman Trio

Clarinetist Benny Goodman – born May 30, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois – is best known as the ‘King of Swing’ and his work with large ensembles/big bands, but he was a multi-faceted musician and bandleader who worked with band formations of varying sizes. Although sometimes overlooked when talking about his influential career, The Benny Goodman Trio is now acknowledged as one of the first racially integrated groups in popular music. The origins of the trio began in 1935 at a jam session party in Queens, New York at the home of jazz vibraphonist Red Norvo. Goodman and pianist Teddy Wilson (1912-1986) played together for the first time, laying the foundation for a new trio that would soon include drummer Gene Krupa (1909-1973). The band’s style, now referred to as chamber jazz, proved to be a success and attracted a new audience to jazz music. According to Goodman, the trio’s recordings were intended to be more for listening than for dancing. The trio released a series of hit singles including “Someday Sweetheart”, “Body and Soul”, “China Boy”, “Lady Be Good”, and “Where or When”. The Benny Goodman Trio continued to release recordings into the 1950s, although by the time of the release of the 10” album Benny Goodman Trio, James Crawford had replaced Gene Krupa on drums. Goodman and Wilson also worked together in the Benny Goodman Quartet and Sextet, eventually making over 100 recordings together.