Goodman was regarded by some as a demanding taskmaster, by others an arrogant and eccentric martinet. Many musicians spoke of The Ray, Goodman's trademark glare that he bestowed on a musician who failed to perform to his demanding standards. Anita O'Day and Helen Forrest spoke bitterly of their experiences singing with Goodman. "The twenty or so months I spent with Benny felt like twenty years," said Forrest. "When I look back, they seem like a life sentence." He could also be incredibly self-absorbed; it is reported that when eating an egg onto which a ketchup bottle cap had fallen, Goodman simply ate around it. At the same time, there are reports that he privately funded several college educations and was sometimes very generous, though always secretly. When a friend asked him why one time, he reportedly said, "Well, if they knew about it, everyone would come to me with their hand out."
Some suggest that Elvis Presley had the same success with rock and roll that Goodman achieved with jazz and swing. Without Goodman there would not have been a swing era. It is true that many of Goodman's arrangements had been played for years before by Fletcher Henderson's orchestra. While Goodman publicly acknowledged his debt to Henderson, many young white swing fans had never heard Henderson's band. While most consider Goodman a jazz innovator, others maintain his main strength was his perfectionism and drive. Goodman was a non - pariel virtuoso clarinetist and -along with only Artie Shaw, amongst the most technically proficient jazz clarinetists of all time.
Goodman is also responsible for a significant step in racial integration in America. In the early 1930s, black and white jazz musicians could not play together in most clubs or concerts. In the Southern states, racial segregation was enforced by the Jim Crow laws. Benny Goodman broke with tradition by hiring Teddy Wilson to play with him ] in the Autumn of 1936. He then added Lionel Hampton on vibes in December, 1936, and in the early Summer of 1939 he augmented the famous "quartette" with pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian to his band and small ensembles, who played with him until his untimely death from tuberculosis less than three years later. To give an understanding of American history at this time, Goodman's integration of popular music happened ten years before Jackie Robinson entered Major League Baseball. "[Goodman's] popularity was such that he could remain financially viable without touring the South, where he would have been subject to arrest for violating Jim Crow laws." By the mid- Summer of 1941, Benny had hired the incomparably rhythmic and show-man drummer, legendary "Big Sid" Catlett, the (later) famous John Simmons on bass, and still possessed the incomparable Charlie Christian on electric guitar -plus Cootie Williams was in the middle of his one-year contract... This amounted to virtually one-quarter of the orchestra of black heritage, but of course -following Jimmy Munday and Fletcher Henderson (who also joined the band as pianist for 6 months in July, 1939) it was really an orchestrated white extension of black big band jazz -only, curiously -better.
Jersey Bounce
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rhythm that really counts
The temperature always mounts
Wherever they play, the funny rhythm they play
It started on Journal Square
And somebody heard it there
He put it right on the air
Uptown, gave it new licks
Downtown, added some tricks
No town, makes it sound, the same
As where it came from
So if you don't feel so hot
Go out to some Jersey spot
And whether you're hep or not
The Jersey bounce'll make you swing
How I love that Jersey bounce
Oh come on and play that Jersey bounce
They call it that Jersey bounce
A rhythm that really counts
The temperature always mounts
Whenever they play that Jersey Bounce
It started on Journal Square
And somebody heard it there
He put it right on the air
That tune called the Jersey Bounce
Uptown, gave it new licks
Downtown, added some tricks
No town, make it sound the same
As where it came from
So if you don't feel so hot
Go out to some Jersey spot
And whether you're hep or not
The Jersey bounce'll make you swing
Ounce by ounce
The Jersey Bounce
Puts you right in the swing
That Jersey Bounce
It'll make you swing
Give me that Jersey Bounce.
The song "Jersey Bounce" by Benny Goodman is a fast-paced jazz swing tune that celebrates the unique rhythm of Jazz in New Jersey, specifically in Journal Square, Jersey. The song was written by Tiny Bradshaw and his orchestra in 1942, but it was Goodman's version that became wildly popular, reaching number one on the Billboard charts.
The song starts by introducing the "Jersey Bounce" rhythm as a heat-inducing, toe-tapping, irresistible rhythm. It is a sound that is unique to the area, starting in Journal Square, but quickly spreading and being adopted in various parts of New Jersey. It is clear that the Jersey Bounce is more than just a rhythm; it's a way of life, a culture even.
In the second verse, Goodman talks about the evolution of the Jersey Bounce, explaining how various regions added their own flavor to the rhythm. The uptown added new licks, but the downtown added tricks to the rhythm, making it dynamic and versatile. However, regardless of where it's being played, the sound remains unique. The song ends by inviting everyone to indulge in the Jersey Bounce, irrespective of whether they're hep or not, as it will make them swing, and that's the power of the Jersey Bounce.
Line by Line Meaning
They call it that Jersey bounce
The unique swing rhythm that originated in Jersey is popularly known as Jersey Bounce
A rhythm that really counts
Jersey bounce is a highly rhythmic and lively music
The temperature always mounts
The energy and enthusiasm in the atmosphere intensify as soon as Jersey Bounce starts playing
Wherever they play, the funny rhythm they play
Jersey Bounce is a distinctive, playful and fun rhythm that no one can resist
It started on Journal Square
Journal Square is the birthplace of Jersey Bounce
And somebody heard it there
Someone first heard the Jersey Bounce on Journal Square and recognized its potential
He put it right on the air
He introduced it to the public and the Jersey Bounce rose in fame
And now you hear it everywhere
Jersey Bounce is a popular rhythm that can be heard everywhere due to its widespread appeal
Uptown, gave it new licks
Musicians uptown added fresh and innovative elements to the Jersey Bounce
Downtown, added some tricks
Musicians downtown incorporated their own unique style and techniques to the Jersey Bounce
No town, makes it sound, the same
Every place has its own flavor and style which adds to the uniqueness of the Jersey Bounce
As where it came from
But still, the essence of Jersey Bounce remains unchanged and undiluted, wherever it is played
So if you don't feel so hot
If you are feeling low or down,
Go out to some Jersey spot
Go to a place in Jersey where Jersey Bounce is played
And whether you're hep or not
Even if you are not a fan or don't know much about the Jersey Bounce
The Jersey bounce'll make you swing
The lively and upbeat rhythm of Jersey Bounce will make you want to dance along
How I love that Jersey bounce
The singer passionately loves the Jersey Bounce and is excited to hear it play
Oh come on and play that Jersey bounce
The singer urges the musicians to play the Jersey Bounce and get the crowd moving
Ounce by ounce
Gradually and steadily
The Jersey Bounce
The upbeat rhythm of Jersey Bounce
Puts you right in the swing
The infectious nature of Jersey Bounce makes you energetic and joyful
That Jersey Bounce
Jersey Bounce is a truly unique and special kind of music
It'll make you swing
Jersey Bounce will make you dance along and swing to its rhythm
Give me that Jersey Bounce
The singer demands to hear and dance to the Jersey Bounce
Lyrics ยฉ JAY JAY PUBLISHING CO.
Written by: WALTER E JAGIELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BreckenHarris-wy7pp
I'm an old soul at heart. This music. This era. We live in a different world. My father was 10 years old listening to the BBC on the radio hearing about B17 raids from the 90th bomb group. Just puts things in perspective. I respect and admire everyone from our greatest generation.
@CrossOfBayonne
Ever watched Masters Of The Air that recently came out
@gerrycoogan6544
The more I hear, the more I appreciate how great Benny Goodman really was.
@IamP3ngu1n
Love that empty ballroom-type "echo" this recording has ๐ฅฐ
@scotnick59
It rather does have that effect, yeah?
@davegaba9091
@@scotnick59 Kinda like the effect of the music playing out on the old Armory 'drill' (dance) floor...
@georgecripe4898
This was the music of the Greatest Generation. It boosted the morale of the GI's and helped win WW2. This particular piece was the epitome of swing music of which Benny was King!
@karenaakeberg1068
Good nostalgic tunes
@WilburJaywright
YAY! This is the theme song for Miss Rose White, 1992 Hallmark film. I was able to find it when I noticed Rose is singing bits of the lyrics near the beginning of the movie while dressing for Sabbath. So cool! TYJ!
@eugenewindchy417
As an 11-year-old I used to hear this song in the summer every day at the beach.