Benny Goodman, the King of Swing

It is the birthday of jazz clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman (1909), who grew in prominence in the 1930s, and by 1936 was known as the King of Swing throughout the country. Music historians mark his January 16, 1938 performance at Carnegie Hall as the point when jazz became accepted by mainstream audiences. It was the first time jazz had been presented in the famous classical music venue. At first the audience reaction was lukewarm but by the end it was decidedly enthusiastic. The 2,760-seat hall was filled to capacity. Patrons had paid $2.75 for the best tickets. In 1938, that was expensive for a concert ticket. Here is a video that includes footage, archive photos and, a recording of "Sing, Sing, Sing" from that performance.

Happy birthday, Jack Teagarden

It is the birthday of jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden (1905), who was known as the father of the jazz trombone and the best trombone player in the world. He created an innovative self-taught playing style, expanded the role of the trombone in jazz bands, and injected a blues element to nearly everything he played. He was an accomplished vocalist, composer and bandleader as well. He recorded with such luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Jimmy McPartland. He appeared in the movies The Birth of the Blues (1941), The Strip (1951), The Glass Wall (1953), and Jazz on a Summer's Day (1960), a documentary about the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. This 1956 TV program Stars of Jazz features Jack Teagarden.