Benny Goodman

Jazz Musician / Bandleader

Benny Goodman, a prodigy on the clarinet, joined the professional musician's union when he was just 13 years old and made his first recording as a soloist four years later. In the 1920s he played in orchestras, on the radio and for stage shows, and made several recordings as a sideman (including for Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday). In the early 1930s Goodman formed his own orchestra and the Swing Era began. He became a world famous bandleader, appeared in the movies and dominated popular music until the 1950s, with well over 100 hit songs, including "Let's Dance," "Blue Moon," "One O'Clock Jump" and "Six Appeal."

Extra credit: Benny Goodman is considered the first bandleader to perform in public with a racially integrated orchestra.