

“In the middle of the swing era…there was a longlasting debate concerning two of the most successful bandleaders of that era. Was it Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw?” Today’s episode won’t draw any conclusions to the age old debate about these two renowned clarinetists, but it does take a look through their similar career paths, yet also highlights their different playing styles and musical influences.
Check out Artie Shaw and His Orchestra perform perform “Begin the Beguine.” In 1982, Benny Goodman was awarded a Kennedy Center Honors for his illustrious career. Here is an in-depth interview from that ceremony.
All songs featured in this episode, as well as some other of our favorites, can be found in the companion playlist on Spotify
Song Credits:
“Waitin’ for Katie;” Performed by Ben Pollack and His Orchestra; Written by Gus Kahn & Ted Shapiro; RCA Victor, 1927
“A Little Bit Later On;” Performed by Bunny Berigan and His Boys; Written byAllen Neiburg & Gerald Levinson; Brunswick, 1936
“King Porter Stomp;” Performed by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra; Written by Morton, arr. By Fletcher Henderson; Victor, 1935
“My Blue Heaven;” Performed by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra; Written by Witing & Donaldson; Vocalion, 1936
“Begin the Beguine;” Performed by Art Shaw and his Orchestra; Written by Cole Porter; Bluebird, 1938
“Let’s Dance (Theme Song);” Performed by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra; Written by Baldridge, Stone, & Bonime; Columbia, 1939
“Nightmare (Theme Song);” Performed by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra; Written by Artie Shaw; Bluebird, 1938
“Avalon;” Performed by Benny Goodman Quartet; Written by Al Jolson & Vincent Rose; Victor, 1937
“Summit Ridge Drive;” Performed by Artie Shaw and his Gramercy 5; Written by Artie Shaw; RCA Victor, 1941
“Frenesi;” Performed by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra; Written by Alberto Dominguez; RCA Victor, 1941
“Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622;” Performed by Benny Goodman and the Boston Symphony Orchestra; Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozar; Andromeda, 2015 (Recorded in 1956)
“Concerto for Clarinet (From Paramount film “Second Chorus”); Performed by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra; Written by Artie Shaw; RCA Victor, 1941
“The Chaser;” Performed by Artie Shaw & His Orchestra; Written by Artie Shaw; Musicmasters, 1993
“Goodbye;” Performed by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra; Written by Gordon Jenkins; Victor, 1936
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