It’s 1935 and vibraphonist Red Norvo and his wife, singer Mildred Bailey, host a party. Their living room fills with the brightest stars in jazz. Pianist Teddy Wilson is there, as is Benny Goodman and many of his cohorts. 
Before long, a jam session breaks out. Goodman, of course, had brought his clarinet to the party. Wilson makes his way to the piano and plays along. The guests are delighted. Goodman is so inspired that he hires Wilson for an idea he’d been pondering.
Goodman’s big idea became the Benny Goodman Trio – with Goodman, Wilson, and drummer Gene Krupa. This “band within a band” played during intermissions of his big band sets. And, it made history: It marked the first time a Black musician worked regularly, and equally, with his White counterparts.
Jazz critic Leonard Feather described the Trio as, “an historic precedent, the magnitude of which can hardly be appreciated today.” In an era when Black musicians performed in clubs, but couldn’t sit as patrons, Benny Goodman proved to thousands of Whites-only audiences that a Black musician could play just as well, and deserved just as much respect, as anyone else on the bandstand.
“Soundtrack to the Struggle” is hosted by Hollis Monroe. Produced by Ron Adkins. Executive Producer is Dennis Green.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Podcast (soundtrack): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS