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Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)


This is a live recording from Benny Goodman's  famous, triumphant concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938. Goodman was the first jazz musician to perform at Carnegie Hall. And this one performance transformed jazz from a music associated with blacks regionally to an American-wide phenomenon. Hard to believe that one concert could change American culture.

"Sing, Sing, Sing" was the climactic piece of that concert, ensuring its success. How "Sing, Sing, Sing" must have freaked people out when they first heard it! That drumbeat, the horns - so wild! It must have been like being transported far into the future. The tune was written by Louis Prima in 1936, and Benny Goodman recorded it in 1937. Gene Krupa on drums, and Harry James on trumpet.  Still nothing like it.

Unfortunately, this video clip cuts out before the performance finishes, because you tube has a 10 minute limit. We miss Jess Stacy's piano solo. But you can buy the entire concert recording (for example, from Amazon here).

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