Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman is one of those figures who transcends his genre entirely. The 'King of Swing' rose from immigrant Chicago to lead one of the most beloved big bands in American history, and his clarinet practically defined an era. The accolades are staggering, but what I admire most is his courage in integrating his band, putting Black and white musicians on the same stage when that simply was not done. To me that act of conviction makes him more than a virtuoso; it makes him a genuine cultural force whose music and principles have both aged beautifully.

Name (English)

Benny Goodman

Name (Japanese)

ベニー・グッドマン

Reading

べにー・ぐっどまん

Born

May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986

Zodiac / Chinese zodiac

Gemini / Rooster

Origin

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Occupation

composer / conductor / bandleader / clarinetist / jazz musician

High school

Harrison Technical High School

Awards & achievements

• 1986 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
• Kennedy Center Honors
• star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

• Official sitehttps://www.bennygoodman.com
• Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny%20Goodman
• Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%99%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B0%E3%83%83%E3%83%89%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3
• Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q46755

Tags

• Illinois
• composer
• conductor
• bandleader

Last updated

2026-06-18

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.