The great clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman had a profound effect on American music in the 1930s and 40s.  One of the first performers to integrate his touring unit, Goodman also crossed over from the jazz world to classical music more than once in his long career. He also had a prickly personality, managing to alienate many of his fellow musicians and writers. However, his musical accomplishments far outweigh his negative side.

Yale University is celebrating Goodman's 100th birthday by throwing a week-long party titled “Celebrating the King of Swing." From September 22 through the 29th, the University presents 3 concerts in New Haven and one in New York City (at Carnegie Hall, of course, site of the famed 1938 concert.)

The opening concert (9/22) is titled “The Classical Legacy of Benny Goodman“ and features the music of Morton Gould, Allan Shulman, Francis Poulenc, and Aaron Copland performed by members of the Yale faculty, alumni clarinetists, and students from the various orchestras.  Faculty members include conductor and clarinetist David Shifrin, violinists Ani Kavafian and Wendy Sharp, cellist Ole Akahoshi, and pianist Wei-Yi Yang.  The concert takes place at 8 p.m. in Sprague Hall (as do all the Elm City shows) and is preceded by a talk at 7 p.m. in Sudler Recital Hall (right next door to Sprague) by Goodman scholar (and clarinetist) Maureen Hurd.  This is the program that will travel to Carnegie Hall for the September 26 show.

On Thursday (9/24), Don Byron (pictured left) comes to Sprague Hall for an 8 p.m. concert that will include a tribute to the famed 1938 “From Spirituals to Swing“ Carnegie Hall concert.  Joining the clarinetist (who also plays tenor saxophone) will be Bryan Carrott (vibraphone), Kenny Davis (bass), and Eric Harland (drums.)  Byron is an eclectic musicians, with interests that range from the music of Mickey Katz and Junior Walker to politically charged material, swing music and classical works. His performances are never dull.

The final show in the celebration features the Yale Jazz Ensemble, Thomas Duffy, conductor and music director, and takes place Tuesday (9/29.) “ Bigger Than Life: The Big Band Music of Benny Goodman“ features clarinet soloist Vincent Oneppo and the YJE performing many of Goodman's biggest hits, including “Swing, Swing, Swing" and “Let's Dance."  All the arrangements (many by the great arranger Fletcher Henderson) are housed in the Benny Goodman Archives in the Gilmore Music Library at Yale (throughout the week, the Gilmore will display highlights from the Goodman archives.)

You can find more about this great series of concerts by going to music.yale.edu. 

There are a number of fine writers who have taken to the blogosphere to continue illuminating the ever-evolving world of creative music. Among them is Peter Hum, who writes for the  Ottawa (Canada) Citizen and he is an excellent reviewer and insightful commentator.  Reading his postings, one knows that he really listens to the music he writes about.  His most recent column (read it here) is a close look at the slew of big band & large ensemble CDs that have been issued recently.  You can tell by reading Hum's words that he really listens closely before putting his thoughts out in public. The post also features a number of excellent video cuts.  When you finish perusing that column, go back and look at previous postings.  If you are at all curious about modern music, you can learn a lot by reading Peter Hum.