Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman was the first celebrated bandleader of the Swing Era, dubbed The King of Swing, his popular emergence marking the beginning of the era. He was an accomplished clarinetist whose distinctive playing gave an identity both to his big band and to the smaller units he led simultaneously. The most popular figure of the first few years of the Swing Era, he continued to perform until his death 50 years later.