Ken Clarke's Jazz Greats: Benny Goodman

**** 4 Extra marks 40 years since the death of Benny Goodman on 13th June 1986 aged 77.

American clarinettist and bandleader Benny Goodman became known as the King of Swing.

Brought up in extreme poverty in the Jewish ghetto of Chicago's South Side, by the end of the 1930s he'd achieved the adulation of a modern-day pop star.

There were reports of ballroom riots, jitterbuggers dancing in the aisles at his concerts and solemn words being written about how the nation's youth was being corrupted by his music.

Series in which Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

With:

Pete Long

Producer: Paul Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.