Comments for Benny Goodman: A Centennial Celebration

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Other pieces by Helen Wigger

Summary: A one-hour special commemorating 100th anniversary of the birth of Benny Goodman.
 

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Very Special -- Information All Americans Should Know

I love big band swing so anything on this is going to spark my attention. What I like about what this program brought out in a picturesque way was how Benny Goodman interfaced with Fletcher Henderson making that relationship come alive.

This program revealed dynamically how Goodman had the edge on radio with his band while Henderson had a plethora of musical creations but no outlet of his own for it. Hearing the interaction of how their needs and willingness to work together worked to serve one another and the country as swing was coming to the fore in the nation was most interesting. This program presents information that all Americans should know as part of our history (a history that relates to music that is unique to the US).

Great material in this show!