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Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-and-White Jazz Band in History

by Lesa CLINE-RANSOME
1 CD. 11 min. Dreamscape. 2014. $14.99. ISBN 9781633795198.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–5—Cline-Ransome brings the birth of swing to life. The story seamlessly slides from the life of Benny Goodman, growing up as the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, to the life of Teddy Wilson, whose childhood was in Tuskegee, AL. Although these artists came from different worlds, the musical parallels are flawlessly described with onomatopoeia: "Tweet drum chirp. Tweet drum chirp." Since they possessed the same musical passion, Goodman and Wilson's union seems inevitable. The poetic rhythm of the prose draws listeners into this musical story. Sean Crisden's narration is warm and mellow, offering an ideal bridge between text and the background swing music. As the birth of swing was "blended into one beautiful melody" so, too, does Cline-Ransome blend the story of Goodman and Wilson.
VERDICT This is a story that deserves to be heard and experienced by all.
Reviewed by Terri Perper, Olney Elementary School, MD , Apr 01, 2015

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