Object Details
Artist
René Robert Bouché, 20 Sep 1905 - Jul 1963
Sitter
Benny Goodman, 30 May 1909 - 13 Jun 1986
Exhibition Label
Born Chicago, Illinois
Dubbed “the King of Swing” after a riotously successful concert at Hollywood’s Palomar Ballroom in 1935, Benny Goodman took swing music into the cultural stratosphere with his band’s distinctive, pulsating sound. In 1938 he brought jazz to Carnegie Hall in a legendary concert that showcased virtuoso performances of “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” and “Don’t Be That Way.” Goodman was also in the forefront of desegregating jazz, bringing such musicians as vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and pianist Teddy Wilson into his orchestra at a time when mainstream jazz was defined by black and white barriers. In the 1950s and 1960s, he toured extensively, bringing the swing era sound to new generations. He received a Kennedy Center Honors award in 1982.
Provenance
The sitter; his estate; donated by his daughters Benjie Goodman Lasseau and Rachel Goodman Edelson 1989 to NPG
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the daughters of Benny Goodman - Benjie Goodman Lasseau and Rachel Goodman Edelson
Date
1960
Object number
NPG.89.1
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Denise Bouche Fitch
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 101.6 x 81.9 x 3.8cm (40 x 32 1/4 x 1 1/2")
Frame: 112.1 x 91.8 x 7.6cm (44 1/8 x 36 1/8 x 3")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Ring
Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses
Home Furnishings\Lighting Devices\Lamp
Music\Sheet music
Music\Musical instrument\Clarinet
Benny Goodman: Male
Benny Goodman: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Composer
Benny Goodman: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Theater\Stage actor
Benny Goodman: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
Benny Goodman: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Jazz musician
Benny Goodman: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Clarinetist
Benny Goodman: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Bandmaster
Benny Goodman: Performing arts awards\Grammy
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.89.1