Dave Bennett Celebrates 100 Years of Benny

Dave Bennett-clarinet Tracks 6, 8, 9:
Dave Bennett's "Tribute to Benny Goodman Sextet" consisting of Paul Keller-bass, Pete Siers-drums, Bill Meyer-piano, Jim Cooper-vibes, Hugh Leal-guitar
Tracks 1, 5, 10: Dick Hyman-piano, Ed Metz Jr.-drums
Tracks 2, 3, 4, 7: Bucky Pizzarelli-guitar, Jerry Bruno-bass

"May 30, 2009 is the centennial of Benny Goodman's birth. Still a household name more than two decades after his death and nearly 75 years after he became known as "The King Of Swing," Goodman not only launched the swing era when his band caused a sensation at the Palomar Ballroom in 1935, but arguably he still ranks as the greatest jazz clarinetist of all time. Despite his admiration of Benny, Dave Bennett has his own voice and only sounds like Goodman when he wants to. "When Benny was playing his music," says Dave, "he wasn't playing recreated solos. He was coming up with new ideas. If he were alive today, he would want me to be myself, do my own thing, and not copy him."

—Scott Yanow, author of ten jazz books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Swing, Jazz On Record 1917-76 and Jazz On Film.

Selections:
Benny's Bugle, In a Sentimental Mood, If I Had You, My Funny Valentine, That's A Plenty, Stompin' at The Savoy, Moonlight In Vermont, I Got Rhythm, Poor Butterfly, Sing, Sing, Sing