Grammy-Nominated John Hasse and the

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Celebrate ‘Swing King’ Benny Goodman

Nov. 4 at Castleton

Two-time Grammy-nominated music historian Dr. John Hasse and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) return to Castleton for a performance and discussion of the life and music of the legendary “King of Swing” Benny Goodman Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. The Castleton in Performance (CiP) concert will begin with a multimedia presentation by Hasse which will provide insights into Goodman’s colorful life and career, visiting highlights through photos and video clips. Audiences will hear interviews by those who knew Goodman best, as well as a stirring big-band performance of his celebrated Sing, Sing, Sing, which was first debuted in 1936 and later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1982. The SJMO will perform nine of Goodman’s greatest hits, including Memories of You, Flying Home, and Stompin’ at the Savoy. This year marks several special posthumous 80th anniversary milestones in Goodman’s extensive career: 1938 marked his pioneering concert at Carnegie Hall, the first-ever jazz concert at the storied venue; Goodman’s performance in the celebrated From Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall; his first classical-music recording with the Budapest String Quartet; and his masterful recording of Don’t Be That Way, which became one of his biggest hits.  Hasse founded the SJMO in 1990 through appointment by the U.S. Congress, and now serves as curator emeritus of American music at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

The SJMO is the orchestra-in-residence at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Musicians include Scott Silbert, clarinet; Donato Soviero, guitar; Tony Nalker, piano; James King, bass; and Ken Kimery, drums.