Although
Benny Goodman came to fame as leader of a big swinging orchestra, from nearly the beginning he always allocated some time to playing with smaller groups. On July 13, 1935, the
Benny Goodman Trio debuted (featuring drummer
Gene Krupa and pianist
Teddy Wilson) and 13 months later vibraphonist
Lionel Hampton made the unit a quartet. The first interracial group to appear regularly in public, this outlet gave
BG an opportunity to stretch out and interact with his peers. The CD
After You've Gone contains the first ten Trio recordings and the initial twelve studio performances by the Quartet.
Helen Ward contributes two fine vocals but the emphasis is on the close interplay between these brilliant players. ~ Scott Yanow