Benny Goodman, born Benjamin David Goodman on May 30, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American jazz musician and bandleader renowned as the "King of Swing." He was the ninth of twelve children born to Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. His father, a tailor, and his mother, who never learned English, struggled to support their large family in the Maxwell Street neighborhood of Chicago.

Goodman's musical journey began at the age of 10 when his father enrolled him in music classes at the Kehelah Jacob Synagogue, where he learned to play the clarinet under the guidance of Franz Schoepp, a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. By age 14, Goodman was a professional musician, playing in various bands in Chicago. His early influences included New Orleans jazz clarinetists like Jimmie Noone and Johnny Dodds.

At 16, Goodman joined the Ben Pollack Band, moving to Los Angeles and becoming a featured soloist. In 1929, he left the band to work in New York City, where he collaborated with jazz promoter John Hammond. This partnership led to recording sessions that significantly boosted his national popularity.

Goodman formed his own band in 1934, securing a spot on NBC's radio show "Let's Dance." His band's performance at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles on August 21, 1935, marked the beginning of the Swing Era, with Goodman reigning as its king. His orchestra was one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States from 1936 to the mid-1940s.

Goodman's concert at Carnegie Hall on January 16, 1938, is hailed as a pivotal moment in jazz history, described as "jazz's 'coming out' party to the world of 'respectable' music." He was also a pioneer in racial integration in music, leading one of the first integrated jazz groups with musicians like Teddy Wilson and Lionel Hampton.

Throughout his career, Goodman explored various musical styles, including bebop and classical music. He continued performing until his death on June 13, 1986, in New York City. His contributions to music earned him prestigious awards, including a Grammy Award and Kennedy Center Honors in 1982.