In the luxurious rectangular box that is the Waldorf-Astoria's Empire Room, a wellrounded, balding businessman in spectacles put a clarinet to his lips and once again became a famous living trademark. Behind him 13 instruments exploded in the old Goodman theme song Let's Dance, and the guests at the Empire Room's tables began to feel wonderful. A surprised young waiter nearly dropped the filet mignon Benny he was serving. "For this room—so loud!" he whispered.
By the time Benny Goodman's new band had worked its way through the first set, from Bugle Call Rag...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
