Goodman, Benny

Clarinet owned and played by Goodman in the 1930s being an H. Selmer (Paris) Professional series 10 K instrument, in B flat, serial number K1890; original case; somewhat scuffed and marked, mouthpiece with embossed plate marked "France Al. Sax D. Bonade Patent pending B45," evidently a replacement mouthpiece. Accompanied by: a typed letter of authenticity signed by William F. Hyland, co-executor of the Goodman estate, Convent Station, New Jersey, 10 April 2001, on stationery of the Estate of Benny Goodman, sent to a former owner, Gabriel C. Taylor.

The King of Swing's clarinet used during the peak of his success. The greatest clarinetist of the twentieth century, Benny Goodman was an exponent of both jazz and classical repertory. It  is well-known he used the Selmer 10K clarinet for much of his career, including his must productive early period in the 1930s. The connection between Goodman and the Selmer 10K clarinet was such a great one, he even advertised for the instrument company. The clarinet offered herewith was used by Goodman primarily from 1932-1940. He played this clarinet on such nationally broadcast radio programs as Let's Dance, The Camel Caravan and The Elgin Revue Show. It's possible this was the instrument Goodman played during his landmark January 16, 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall. This was Jazz's "coming out party" and helped to establish Jazz as a respectable music worthy of serious attention. Music critic Bruce Elder called it the single most important Jazz or Popular Music concert in history.

A letter of authenticity from William F. Hyland, co-executor, of the estate of Benny Goodman, succinctly states: "This musical instrument was manufactured between January, 1930  and December, 1931 and was purchased by Benny Goodman in New York City in the spring of 1932. This is supported by insurance records on file with Lloyd's of London which insured Mr. Goodman's musical instruments and archives. . . ."

An extraordinary icon of the Swing Era.