Benny Goodman and his Orchestra

This side was recorded by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra in New York on March 4, 1941 with Benny Goodman, clarinet, and leader; Alec Fila, Jimmy Maxwell, Irving Goodman, Cootie Williams, trumpets; Lou McGarity, and Cutty Cutshall, trombones; Lou McGarity, Skippy Martin, Gus Bivona, alto saxophones; George Auld, Pete Mondello, tenor saxophones; Bob Snyder, baritone saxophone; Johnny Guarnieri, piano; Charlie Christian, electric guitar; Mike Bryan, rhythm guitar; Artie Bernstein, string bass; and Dave Tough, drums.

*As the Swing Era progressed bands grew in size, acoustic guitarists turned to amplification to avoid being drowned out by the horns. Yet most big-band guitarists played rhythm only, not solos. In 1938 George Barnes and Eddie Durham began exploring the electric guitar’s solo possibilities, and in 1939 the instrument took flight when Benny Goodman hired guitarist Charlie Christian. This Christian dominated recording, “Solo Flight” stands as testament to their combined success.

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