[Monday Notes No. 16] In the 1930s, Benny Goodman was often referred to as the ‘King of Swing’. In the awarding of this somewhat grandiose title, the clarinettist was perhaps given preferential treatment over his Black colleagues, who were just as good. This observation is not intended to detract in any way from the musician’s extraordinary talent; here we listen to and analyse his rendition of ‘My Old Flame’ with the singer Peggy Lee.
In jazz, the use of these nicknames and monikers inspired by the nobility was very common: King Oliver, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, President Lester Young and many others – an unmistakable sign that some of these musicians were regarded as true stars, enjoying a level of public acclaim that is uncommon today for those who play a musical instrument.
For his part, the clarinetist was a virtuoso, a meticulous and severe musician with his collaborators, and not least of all, he was also a discreet businessman. In choosing his collaborators, however, he made no colour distinction, rather he demanded reliable and capable musicians.
In this 1941 recording of My Old Flame the orchestral arrangement is by Eddie Sauter. After the refined introduction of the woodwinds, the theme is sung by Peggy Lee, one of the best white singers of the time.
This is followed by a solo by trumpeter Cootie Williams (2’15”), a long-time collaborator of Duke Ellington. Benny Goodman then takes up the theme on clarinet, with subtle and effective variations (2’45”).
The coda of the piece is very interesting, Goodman plays an arpeggio on the D triad over an F7 chord, outlining a bold F13(b9) chord derived from the diminished scale. The first notes of the piece are also built on a diminished chord, this symmetry demonstrates the complex architecture of the piece.
In this piece, Benny Goodman does not exhibit his extraordinary qualities. The clarinettist was capable of fiery improvisations, but in this case the arrangement favours the ensemble and the main theme, without giving much space to the solos. A true virtuoso like Benny Goodman always knows how to put himself at the service of music.
Until next Monday