US Jazz clarinet player. Known as "The King Of Swing" (born on May 30, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, USA - died on June 13, 1986 in New York City, New York, USA of a cardiac arrest). Benny Goodman learned to play clarinet at age of 10. He played in Jazz bands at a young age. He formed a band in 1934 and toured the world. Benny Goodman contributed to the development of the "Swing" style of Jazz.
Clarinetist/orchestra leader.
Interred at Long Ridge Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
Pictured on one of a set of four 29 US commemorative postage stamps in the Legends of American Music series, issued 11 September 1996, celebrating big band leaders. Other band leaders honored in this issue are Count Basie , Tommy Dorsey , and Jimmy Dorsey , and Glenn Miller.
Benny Goodman was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.
Charter inductee of the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1978.
He had two daughters: Rachel (born May 2, 1943) and Benjie (born April, 1946). He also had three step-daughters: Gillian, Shirley, and Sophia. All five daughters grew up in Bennys house.
His funeral included a nonsectarian service and Bible passages read by all five of his daughters. His Eulogy was given by his attorney and friend, Bill Hyland.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 337-340. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1999.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6101 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Kennedy Center Honors recipient in 1982.
