1935 (3)

1935 wasn't notable for Goodman solely because of the concert at the Palomar ballroom. Goodman is today remembered for performing with an integrated band and smaller groups. That practice began in 1935:

"In 1935, Benny Goodman And His Orchestra played the Congress Hotel in Chicago. The band included such outstanding musicians as Krupa on drums; Jess Stacy, piano; Nate Kabier, trumpet; Hymie Shertzer, alto sax; Art Rollini, tenor sax; Allen Reuss, guitar; Harry Goodman (Bennys brother), bass; and Helen Ward, one of the best big band vocalists. Earlier, Goodman had made some trio recordings using Krupa and pianist Teddy Wilson earlier that had sold well. Helen Oakley, later Helen Oakley Dance, encouraged him to feature Wilson (a Black man) in the trio at the hotel. Eventually, Goodman was persuaded that featuring such a racially mixed group was not a recipe for disaster, and when the occasion passed without public comment, (except for musical plaudits), Wilson was soon became a regular member of the Goodman trio. In 1936, Benny added Lionel Hampton to form the Benny Goodman Quartet. Though this was not the first integrated Jazz group, it, by far, had the highest profile."