Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage As the First Black-and-White Jazz Band in History
by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author) and James E. Ransome (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Brought together by the love of jazz, Teddy Wilson and Benny Goodman broke the color barrier in entertainment when they formed the Benny Goodman Trio with Gene Krupa and helped create the style of music known as swing.
Snippet:
Chicago’s West Side Colt’s Electric Park, 1922:
Pop boom pop boom
Above Benny,
the Fourth of July exploded
One hundred colors, loud,
live and hot
In front of him, the jazz band
clarinet, piano, drums
pop boom pop boom
Benny sat, toe tapping,
fingers snapping,
listening
STEM + the Arts = STEAM
STEAM DIY Activity
Click on a date on the Interactive Timeline to journey back in time and discover how jazz became America’s music.
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
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