Benny Goodman: Complete Yale Archives

Read About This Recording

The Benny Goodman Centennial is in full swing with the complete Yale recordings offered for the first time ever. Goodman, born in 1909, left thousands of hours of recordings to the Yale University Library. He collaborates with giants of the jazz age on 13 CDs featuring the most popular standards and jazz charts of all-time. Including a full CD of Benny with his original quartet including Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton and the legendary Gene Krupa.

The boxed set is jam-packed and includes complete tracks, performer and other details as well as photos and a biography. By the time of these recordings, made between 1954 and 1986, Benny Goodman was an elder statesman of jazz; while his reign as King of Swing® may have been behind him, he still had spirit and chops and could still lead great bands. The performances are drawn from Goodman's own personal collection of tapes, bequeathed to Yale by his estate. Mostly small-group recordings, these tracks feature Goodman in tandem with succeeding generations of jazz performers, ace players from bebop (Pepper Adams), cool (Zoot Sims), even the avant garde (Atilla Zoller and Henry Grimes).

If one wants timeless standards swung with old-school class, this is the place.

—Terrence London

Extended Article

One of the greatest jazz clarinetists of all time (only Artie Shaw, Buddy DeFranco and Eddie Daniels compete), Benny Goodman was the most influential and famous. Although he had made his recording debut in 1926, he was a virtual unknown until he put together his first big band in 1934. It was a complete surprise when his big band's success the following year practically caused a riot at Los Angeles' Palomar Ballroom, starting the Swing Era. Goodman was an unlikely matinee idol, but he became such a major force that he is still well known today, 22 years after his death.

In his last years, Goodman arranged to donate to Yale University his extensive collection of privately recorded performances. The dozen volumes, which total 13 CDs, had been previously unreleased as a complete set.

While Benny Goodman was a dominant force during 1935-45, he was always a brilliant player, even when his swing music was overshadowed by more modern styles. Goodman is heard in a wide variety of settings in this package, ranging from big band recreations to heated combos. Among the many impressive sidemen are cornetists Ruby Braff and Bobby Hackett, trumpeters Jack Sheldon, Joe Newman, Charlie Shavers and Doc Cheatham, trombonist Bill Harris, tenors Paul Quinichette, Zoot Sims and Flip Philips, vibraphonist Red Norvo, pianist Mel Powell and even a young Herbie Hancock. In addition, there is a full CD that is a reunion of the Benny Goodman Quartet with Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa in the early 1960s.

Dating from 1936-86, The Complete Yale Archives of Benny Goodman is a must for swing lovers.

—Scott Yanow

Contents

Exclusive!

Yale Archives, Vols. 1-2

Vol. 1 (TT: 50:05) Sweet Georgia Brown; Macedonia Lullaby; Soft Lights and Sweet Music; Broadway; Marching and Swinging; Batunga Train; Cherokee; Slipped Disc; Diga Diga Doo; Lullaby in Rhythm; Don't Blame Me; Blue Room.

Vol. 2—Live At Basin Street (TT: 61:26): Let's Dance; Honeysuckle Rose; Runnin' Wild; Mean to Me; Memories of You; Stompin' At the Savoy; Blue and Sentimental; One O'clock Jump; I Found a New Baby; Stairway to the Stars; Body and Soul; Airmail Special; Nice Work If You Can Get It; Sing, Sing, Sing; Goodbye.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Joe Newman, E.V. Perry, Taft Jordan, Buzz King, John Frosk, Ruby Braff, Jack Sheldon, Allen Smith, Benny Ventura, Joe Mosello, Randy Sandke, John Eckert, Trumpets; Vernon Brown, Eddie Bert, Harry DeVito, Urbie Green, Bill Harris, Buster Cooper, Rex Peer, Hale Rood, Matt Finders, Dan Barrett, Trombones; Ernie Mauro, Skippy Colluchio, Jerry Dodgion, Herb Geller, Jimmy Sands, Jack Stuckey, Chuck Wilson, Alto Saxes; Zoot Sims, Buddy Tate, Dick Hafer, Flip Phillips, Bob Wilber, Babe Clarke, Paul Quinichette, Ted Nash, Ken Peplowski, Tenor Saxes; Gene Allen, Pepper Adams, Baritone Saxes; Red Norvo, Vibes; Bernie Leighton, Roland Hanna, Dave McKenna, Martin Harris, Gene DiNovi, Russ Freeman, Teddy Wilson, Ben Aronov, Pianos; Attila Zoller, Chuck Wayne, Steve Jordan, Leo Robinson, Jimmy Wyble, Turk van Lake, Perry Lopez, Billy Bauer, James Chirillo, Guitars; George Duvivier, Henry Grimes, Tommy Potter, Al Simi, Red Wooten, Milt Hinton, Arvell Shaw, Murray Wall, Basses; Joe Marshall, Roy Burns, Boddy Donaldson, Bob Binnix, John Markham, Shelly Manne, Don Lamond, Louie Bellson, Drums.

Yale Archives, Vol. 3—Big Band in Europe (TT: 64:50): Let's Dance; Bugle Call Rag; On the Sunny Side of the Street; 'Deed I Do; Who Cares; Blue Skies; I Want a Little Girl; Sometimes I'm Happy; A Fine Romance; Harvard Blues; I'm Coming Virginia; Soon; Medley: I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues/I Hadn't Anyone Till You/I've Got You Under My Skin; Pennies From Heaven; Stompin' At the Savoy; Flying Home; This is My Lucky Day; Roll 'Em; Brussels Blues; When You're Smiling.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; John Frosk, Taft Jordan, E.V. Perry, Billy Hodges, Trumpets; Rex Peer, Willie Dennis, Vernon Brown, Trombones; Ernie Mauro, Al Block, Alto Saxes; Zoot Sims, Seldon Powell, Tenor Saxes; Gene Allen, Baritone Sax; Sir Roland Hanna, Piano; Billy Bauer, Guitar; Arvell Shaw, Bass; Roy Burnes, Drums; Jimmy Rushing, Ethel Ennis, Vocals.

Yale Archives, Vol. 4—Big Band Recordings (TT: 52:10): Happy Session Blues; Autumn Nocturne; Oh Baby; What a Diff'rence a Day Made; Oh Gee, Oh Joy; The Earl; More Than You Know; You Couldn't Be Cuter; I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face; Swift As the Wind; Them There Eyes; A Room Without Windows; People; Benny Rides Again.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; John Frosk, Allen Smith, E.V. Perry, Benny Ventura, Billy Butterfield, Jimmy Maxwell, Mel Davis, Al Maiorca, Fern Caron, Taft Jordan, Buck Clayton, Joe Wilder, Tony Terran, Ray Triscari, Jimmy Zito, Trumpets; Rex Peer, Hale Rood, Buster Cooper, Vernon Brown, Eddie Bert, Harry DeVito, Jimmy Knepper, Willie Dennis, Wayne Andre, Bob Edmonson, Vern Friley, Trombones; Herb Geller, Jimmy Santucci, Walt Levinsky, Al Block, Phil Woods, Jerry Dodgion, Skees Herfurt, Herbie Steward, Alto Saxes; Bob Wilber, Babe Clarke, Budd Johnson, Bill Slapin, Tommy Newsome, Zoot Sims, Teddy Edwards, Bob Hardaway, Tenor Saxes; Pepper Adams, Gene Allen, Baritone Saxes; Russ Freeman, Roland Hanna, Hank Jones, John Bunch, Pete Jolly, Pianos; Turk van Lake, Kenny Burrell, Steve Jordan, Benny Garcia, Guitars; Milt Hinton, George Duvivier, Henry Grimes, Irv Manning, Bill Crow, Monty Budwig, Basses; Shelly Manne, Roy Burnes, Mousey Alexander, Mel Lewis, Colin Bailey, Drums; Victor Feldman, Vibes; Martha Tilton, Mitzi Cottle, Vocals.

Yale Archives, Vol. 5

CD 1 (TT: 61:09): Let's Dance; No Way to Stop It; Memories of You; Sleep; Medley No. 1: Don't Be That Way/Stompin' At the Savoy/On the Sunny Side of the Street/Rose Room/Moon Glow/One O'clock Jump/Sing, Sing, Sing; I Want to Be Happy; Gotta Be This or That; Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea; Body and Soul; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; Sweet and Lovely; After You've Gone.

CD 2 (TT: 59:14): Ten-Bone; Breakfast Feud; St. James Infirmary; Air Mail Special; My Baby Done Tol' Me; Medley No. 2: Poor Butterfly/Avalon/Sweet Lorraine/The World is Waiting for the Sunrise; Lazy Afternoon; St. Louis Blues; Rachel's Dream; Easy Living; I Found a New Baby.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Jack Sheldon, Bobby Hackett, Trumpets; Bill Harris, Urbie Green, Trombones; Jerry Dodgion, Alto Sax/Flute; Modesto Bresano, Tenor Sax/Flute; Flip Phillips, Tenor Sax; Red Norvo, Vibes; Gene DiNovi, John Bunch, Pianos; Jimmy Wyble, Guitar; Red Wooten, Steve Swallow, Jimmy Rowser, Basses; John Markham, Ray Mosca, Drums.

Yale Archives, Vol. 6—Live At the Rainbow Grill (TT: 64:02): Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea; I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans; There is No Greater Love; Don't Be That Way; Oh, Lady Be Good; Come Rain or Come Shine; St. Louis Blues; All the Things You Are; I've Found a New Baby; Avalon; Embraceable You; Sweet Georgia Brown; Look for the Silver Lining; By Myself; Honeysuckle Rose.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Joe Newman, Doc Cheatham, Trumpets; Zoot Sims, Tenor Sax; Herbie Hancock, Bernie Leighton, Pianos; Attila Zoller, Les Spann, Guitars; George Duvivier, Al Hall, Basses; Joe Marshall, Morey Feld, Drums; Annette Saunders, Vocals.

Yale Archives, Vol. 7—Florida Sessions (TT: 50:50): Sleep; Sometimes I'm Happy; Rosetta; Dark Shadows; Tea for Two; Deacon and the Elder; I Want to Be Happy; Someone to Watch Over Me; Ten-Bone; Sweet Miss; Time on My Hands; Splanky; The Best Thing for You.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Flip Phillips, Tenor Sax; Bill Harris, Trombone; Marty Harris, Piano; Leo Robinson, Guitar; Al Simi, Bass; Bob Binnix, Drums.

Yale Archives, Vol. 8—Recordings From Benny Goodman's Private Collection (TT: 54:24): It's All Right With Me; Willow Weep for Me; My Little Grass Shack; Too Many Tears; Easy to Love; Who; Sweet Leilani; Song of the Islands; The Moon of Manakoora; On the Beach at Waikiki; Blue Hawaii; Bei Mir Bist du Schön; Gershwin Medley: The Man I Love/Embraceable You/Oh, Lady Be Good/Somebody Loves Me/Liza; Rodgers & Hart Medley: Where or When/I Didn't Know What Time it Was/There's a Small Hotel/This Can't Be Love/Sing for Your Supper/Blue Room.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Bernie Privin, Manny Klein, Conrad Gozzo, Irving Goodman, Don Fagerquist, Trumpets; Lou McGarity, Joe Howard, Murray McEachern, Milt Bernhart, Trombones; Toots Mondello, Herb Geller, Bud Shank, Alto Saxes; Zoot Sims, Buddy Collette, Dave Pell, Tenor Saxes; Chuck Gentry, Baritone Sax; André Previn, Howard Roland, Russ Freeman, Pianos; Barney Kessel, Tony Mottola, Al Hendrickson, Guitars; Leroy Vinnegar, George Duvivier, Basses; Frank Capp, Morey Feld, Drums; Eddie Costa, Vibes; Martha Tilton, Vocals.

Yale Archives, Vols. 9-10

Vol. 9—Live At Basin Street, 1954 (TT: 74:18): After You've Gone; Body and Soul; Nice Work If You Can Get It; The World is Waiting for the Sunrise; Avalon; Dark Eyes; Don't Be That Way; How High the Moon; One O'clock Jump; I've Found a New Baby; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Runnin' Wild; Liza; Exactly Like You; Someday, Sweetheart; China Boy; Piano Interlude; Our Love is Here to Stay; That's A-Plenty.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Charlie Shavers, Trumpet; Mel Powell, Piano; Steve Jordan, Guitar; Israel Crosby, Bass; Morey Feld, Drums.

Vol. 10—The Original Benny Goodman Quartet (TT: 52:50): Dearest; Together; Who Cares; September Song; Just One of Those Things; Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses; Oh, Gee! Oh, Joy!; Bernie's Tune; East of the Sun (And West of the Moon); Four Once More; Liza; But Not for Me; Somebody Loves Me; It's All Right With Me.

The Original Benny Goodman Quartet: Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Teddy Wilson, Piano; Lionel Hampton, Vibes; Gene Krupa, Drums. Yale Archives, Vols. 11-12

Vol. 11 (TT: 62:43): King Porter Stomp; Flying Home; Stardust; All the Things You Are; Indian Summer; One O'clock Jump; Frenesi; The Moon Won't Talk; Yours; Gone With What Draft; Let the Doorknob Hitch; Caprice XXIV Paganini; I See a Million People; Moon and Sand; Superman; Who Can I Turn To; Something New; I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire; A Smo-o-o-th One.

Vol. 12 (TT: 57:03): At the Darktown Strutter's Ball; In My Arms; Three Little Words; Sunday, Monday for Always; Bugle Call Rag; Sweet Georgia Brown; Memories of You; Medley: Oh Lady Be Good/Mack the Knife/I Can't Give You Anything but Love; Avalon; Rose Room; That's a Plenty; Lulu's Back in Town; New Kind of Love; Muskrat Ramble; Stompin' at the Savoy; The Dixieland Band; Dear Old Southland.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet; Ziggy Elman, Cootie Williams, Buck Clayton, Trumpets; Georgie Auld, Tenor Sax; Charlie Christian, Guitar; Lionel Hampton, Vibes; Mel Powell, Jess Stacy, Pianos; Helen Forrest, Peggy Lee, Vocals; others.