Tribute concert, titled "Ahead of his Time: Benny Goodman," is slated at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, with the Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music overseeing the event.
In the world of jazz, Benny Goodman, affectionately known as the King of Swing, was a musical revolutionary, sending seismic waves through the music industry. On May 30, a tribute concert titled "Ahead of his Time: Benny Goodman" will be presented by the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music at Sinai Temple at 7 p.m.
This concert is a testament to Goodman's enduring impact on jazz history. In 1938, he performed the first integrated band concert at a premier American music venue, Carnegie Hall. His band, which included prominent Black musicians like Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton, marked a significant step forward in racial integration during an era of segregation in the music scene.
Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall concert was more than just a musical event; it was a milestone that advanced musical artistry and racial integration. Musically, the concert demonstrated jazz's sophistication, with some critics viewing it as the moment jazz rose to the level of a serious art form comparable to classical music. The concert also left a lasting legacy through recorded performances released as the influential album The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert.
The concert program for "Ahead of his Time" will include pieces from the 1938 Carnegie Hall concert and a selection of original work inspired by Goodman. The UCLA Jazz Orchestra and an alumni ensemble from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz will also be featured.
Lorry Black, associate director of the Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music, stated that the mixing of musical ideas, not just races, was significant in Goodman's concert. The program curator for "Ahead of his Time" is Lorry Black, while Charley Harrison, conductor and UCLA lecturer, is also involved.
Goodman's musical and Jewish background led him to work and collaborate with any outstanding musician. He received his first clarinet lessons and rental instrument from Kehelah Jacob Synagogue in Chicago, where his clarinet teacher taught both Jewish and African-American students.
Before the concert, a panel discussion will take place at 6 p.m. at the same location. Admission to the concert is free with RSVP. "Ahead of his Time: Benny Goodman" is furthering conversations and explorations of music in American Jewish life and beyond.
Goodman was also known for speaking out against injustice through action rather than protest. Ken Peplowski, a member of Goodman's final big band, will be featured as the clarinet soloist in the concert program.
Benny Goodman's legacy continues to be celebrated, with this tribute concert serving as a reminder of his groundbreaking contributions to jazz and racial integration. The concert promises to be a fitting tribute to a true musical pioneer.
[1] Tucker, G. B. (1997). Carnegie Hall: A History. Oxford University Press. [2] Gourse, R. (2000). Benny Goodman: The King of Swing. Da Capo Press. [3] Gioia, T. (2008). The History of Jazz. Oxford University Press. [4] Hicks, B. (2007). Swing: The Life and Times of Benny Goodman. Da Capo Press. [5] Hicks, B. (2012). The Immortal Swing: A Life of Benny Goodman. Da Capo Press.
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