Benny Goodman had risen from a poor Jewish Chicago background where he became a pro as a teenager and was soon playing clarinet in bands and even making records, having absorbed the local greats like Armstrong and Oliver. In New York he played on countless record sessions and led a band before being hired as the hot house sound on the network radio show ”Let’s Dance". A cross-country tour resulted in his becoming the darling of the younger set. His neat arrangements and drivingly joyous beat crowned him “The King of Swing". Carnegie Hall was conquered and later there was a foray into classical music. In 1962 he went on a goodwill tour of Russia where premier Khruschev shook his hand.