Seventy-six years ago tomorrow, in the winter of 1938, Benny Goodman brought his swing band to the bastion of “serious music” — the stage of Carnegie Hall. A raucous, provocative, and wildly successful night followed. Jazz had a newfound respectability as America was coming to see this new fusion of African and European influences as its own music, its own unique contribution to global culture.
Hear a report from On Point’s audio archaeologist Ned Connors as he goes back to Benny Goodman’s big night in January, 1938.
Guests:













