BENNY GOODMAN - REFERENCE LETTER SIGNED 4/1941 - HFSID 257379

BENNY GOODMAN
Benny Goodman signs an important typed statement about Eric Simon.
Important Typed Statement signed: "Benny Goodman", 1p, 8½x11. New York, 1941 April. In full: "In working with Eric Simon I had a chance to admire his experience in chamber music as well as his profound knowledge of classical style. He has the gift of conveying the characteristic features of classical music in a clear and convincing way. In my opinion he is an asset to every musical institution, and to every clarinetist who wants to improve musically and technically." Born in Vienna, ERIC SIMON (1907-1994) studied piano from the age of 8, and at the age of 14 he began studying the clarinet with Victor Polatschek, the principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic. In 1938, Simon left Europe for the United States. In 1940 and 1941, Simon gave clarinet lessons to BENNY GOODMAN, who had been recommended to Simon by producer John Hammond. Simon's work with Goodman was indicative of the esteem in which he was held by his musical colleagues, first in Europe and later in the United States. Following his move to the United States, Simon played in the New York City Symphony under Leopold Stokowski and Leonard Bernstein. After playing with bands in the 1920s and early 1930s, clarinetist BENNY GOODMAN (1909-1986) organized his own orchestra in 1934. In 1935, he formed the Benny Goodman Trio with Gene Krupa and Teddy Wilson; it became a quartet in 1936 when Lionel Hampton joined. Goodman, who became known as "The King of Swing", was the first major white bandleader to integrate Black and white musicians. Performing on radio and in motion pictures in addition to recording, his orchestra became nationally famous. Composers such as Béla Bartók, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Morton Gould wrote music for Goodman. Creased at upper right corner. Horizontal fold touches "y" in Benny. Fine condition.