Origins & Early Life

Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader, known as the "King of Swing". From 1935 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 16, 1938, is described by critic Bruce Eder as "the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz's 'coming out' party to the world of 'respectable' music." Goodman's bands started the careers of many jazz musicians. During an era of racial segregation, he led one of the first integrated jazz groups, his trio and quartet.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He continued performing until the end of his life while pursuing an interest in classical music. Goodman was the ninth of twelve children born to poor Jewish emigrants from the Russian Empire. His father, David Goodman, came to the United States in 1892 from Warsaw in partitioned Poland and became a tailor. His mother, Dora Grisinsky, came from Kaunas. They met in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Chicago before Goodman's birth.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

With little income and a large family, they moved to the Maxwell Street neighborhood, an overcrowded slum near...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert R. Broccoli — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.
• Barry Goldwater — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Conservative Senator and Presidential Nominee who championed modern American conservatism.
• Burl Ives — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Iconic American folk singer, actor, and voice artist known for Christmas music.
• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Died in 1986) (1986): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Alfredo Binda — Contemporary (Died in 1986) (1986): Pioneering Italian cyclist, renowned for five Giro d'Italia wins and multiple world titles.
• Amanda Bynes — Contemporary (Born in 1986) (1986): American retired actress known for Nickelodeon and teen comedies.
• Agnès Varda — Shared historical date (05-30 · Born) (1928): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alexander Archipenko — Shared historical date (05-30 · Born) (1887): Ukrainian-American avant-garde sculptor, pioneer of Cubist human figures.
• Adolphe Pégoud — Shared historical date (06-13 · Born) (1889): Pioneering French aviator and the first recorded fighter ace of World War I.
• Ali Sayad Shirazi — Shared historical date (06-13 · Born) (1944): Key Iranian military commander during the Iran-Iraq War, assassinated in 1999.
• 1909 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1909
• May 30 (05-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 30
• 1986 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1986
• June 13 (06-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 13