Benny Goodman big band charts

A range of big band arrangements made famous by Benny Goodman and his orchestra.

Who was Benny Goodman?

Born as Benjamin David Goodman, "The King of Swing", was a clarinetist, composer and band leader responsible for multiple hit singles as a band leader, mostly before World War II. He left school at 14 to join the American Federation of Musicians. He reached the height of his popularity in the 1930's, when swing was most popular.

Which Goodman charts would you know?

Goodman's popularity continued to accelerate with 15 top 10 hits in 1936, including "Goody-Goody" and "You Turned the Tables on Me." His theme tune was "Let's Dance" and he often closed with "Goodbye". His orchestra had many hits - including "Sing Sing Sing", "Stompin' at the Savoy", "Stealin' Apples" and "Bugle Call Rag"- and his early successes were, in no small part, reliant on the arranging skills of Fletcher Henderson.  His band featured vocalists such as Peggy Lee, Helen Forrest and Helen Ward. Famously, the Benny Goodman Orchestra was the the first swing band to play Carnegie Hall.