Benny Goodman is given a lot of credit for being in the vanguard in hiring black musicians. It's complicated. Goodman was no crusader and was reluctant to step into that role. However, influential writer and record producer John Hammond, who backed the idea, was a crusader and pursuasive. So was Helen Oakley (Dance), who booked the concert at Chicago's Rhythm Club, where the trio made its public debut. What clinched the deal was that Goodman, a musical perfectionist, recognized the high level of Teddy Wilson's musicianship.
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| Teddy Wilson |
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| Benny Goodman |
The first time that Goodman and Wilson played together was at a jam session at the Queens, New York home of vibraphonist Red Norvo and singer Mildred Bailey. Goodman later said, "That night Teddy and I began to play as though we were thinking with the same brain."
Wilson recorded with Goodman (and Jack Teagarden) in 1934, but the trio records they made in 1935 really hit, selling around 50,000 copies each. The following year, 1936, Goodman brought the trio into the Rhythm Club at The Congress Hotel in Chicago. Later that year, Lionel Hampton joined the group, which alternated sets in concerts with Goodman's big band.
This is trio Swing music at the highest level. Note that Krupa is listed on the record label as playing "traps"-short for contraption-an alternative term for a drum set.
Benny Goodman and His Trio: Benny Goodman, cl / Teddy Wilson, p / Gene Krupa, d. New York, July 13, 1935.
- After You’ve Gone- ic 25115, 27-0117, 40-0107, HMV B-8381;
- Body And Soul: Vic 25115, 27-0118, 40-0106, HMV B-8381, EA-1568;
- Who?- Vic 25181, 68-0832, JA-836, BB B-10643;
- Someday, Sweetheart-Vic 25181, Vic 27-0117, 68-0832, JA-836, BB B-10643,HMV B-8402
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