Clare Teal: A good man to introduce the world of the big band

As a lot of you know, I am Radio 2's Mrs Big Band. In my role of presenter on Sunday Night at 10 and Monday night's Big Band Special, I try to play records to remind the already initiated just what a wonderful noise big bands make and to introduce these vibrant and exciting sounds to younger people with ears.

On Friday night, we recorded a concert, for broadcast later next month, featuring the music of the clarinet-wielding King of Swing, Benny Goodman.

I guess of all the big band leaders Benny is among the top three in the fame stakes. Although many people have said that Goodman could be an awkward and difficult man, he was a true pioneer of swing music, often secretly very generous and, during an era of needless segregation, determinedly led one of the first racially integrated ensembles.

In my mind, however, the real uncrowned King of Swing would have to be pianist, composer and genius arranger Fletcher Henderson. Because of the restricted opportunities afforded to black musicians at that time, Henderson's band enjoyed much respect among musicians but little public success. A further blow was dealt in 1928 when Fletch damaged his shoulder in a car accident.

Goodman was a tremendous admirer of Fletcher's work and in the mid '30s bought the band leaders entire pad. Many say Benny did this to support Henderson but, ironically, it was these arrangements that catapulted Goodman to fame.

On January 16, 1938, Benny Goodman and his orchestra played New York's esteemed Carnegie Hall, which is akin today to Radiohead playing La Scala. That concert is regarded among the most ground-breaking and significant in jazz history.

Friday's concert was one of the best I've ever heard. New York resident Ken Peplowski did the clarinet honours and, my goodness, can that man play. I can't help suspect that he actually might be even better than Goodman was himself. Ken actually had the honour of being in Benny's final band.