The Mystery of Benny Goodman’s Missing Clarinet
Clarinetists and non-clarinetists alike are undoubtedly familiar with the name and fame of Benny Goodman (1909-1986). As the “King of Swing,” he was known for hits such as “Sing, Sing, Sing,” and his musical influence was an inspiration for future generations of musicians.
We all know I love a good clarinet mystery, so I was intrigued when I came across a newspaper article from 1955 mentioning a clarinet Benny Goodman was trying to track down.
From the Star-News, July 21, 1955: “Missing Clarinet”
Paul Marshburn, who has brought some musical shows to Wilmington, has a new ‘musical’ job at present. He is trying to locate a clarinet. Seems that Benny Goodman, the nationally known orchestra leader, is seeking the clarinet he used when he made his first recording of his theme song [“Let’s Dance”]. Now he wants to use it in a picture being made of his life [The Benny Goodman Story]. The maker of the clarinet has asked Marshburn to aid in the search. The clarinet was replaced by another of the same make years ago and has since been sold. The original was sold and it is believed was brought to North Carolina. Just where is another question. Anyway, the serial number on the clarinet is L 3682. The instrument is a 17 key, 6 ring Selmer model. Know where it is?”
Another mention in the Washington Observer, July 19, 1955:
Here’s another newspaper article from The Victoria Advocate, July 23, 1955:
Benny Goodman fans might be thinking, “But aren’t there museums with his clarinets?” You’re correct – Benny Goodman used several clarinets throughout his career, some of which are displayed in museums around the world. The Met in New York has this Buffet Crampon clarinet, c. 1960, serial number 80001. The National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. has another Buffet Crampon clarinet made in 1967, serial number 96509. Benny Goodman’s clarinet was even the impetus for the creation of the Susan W. Rose Archives at Carnegie Hall: “The extraordinary thing to me is that our museum was basically established because of the donation of Benny’s clarinet.” (Listen to this discussion or read the transcript here) Here is a photo of this clarinet, from c. 1975.
As you might have noticed, the clarinets on display in various museums are all made by French manufacturer Buffet Crampon, which Benny Goodman played later in his career. According to the National Music Museum, “For much of his career, Goodman played Selmer clarinets, notably, the Balanced Tone model (introduced in 1935) and the Centered Tone model—with its large tone holes—considered by many to be the quintessential jazz clarinet (introduced in 1951).”
So, with this bit of info in mind, let us return to the mystery of Benny Goodman’s missing clarinet.
I asked my contacts at Henri Selmer Paris to send me any information they had for Benny Goodman’s missing clarinet. This particular Selmer Balanced Tone, serial number L3682 was produced in Paris in December 1935 and sold to New York, which is likely where Goodman would have purchased the instrument.
Selmer introduced the Balanced Tone during the 1930s (with the marks L, M, and N), and the Centered Tone followed, beginning production in the 1950s. Benny Goodman used both the Balanced Tone and Centered Tone during his career before switching to Buffet clarinets.
Over the course of his career, Goodman would have used several different clarinets. I’ve read online accounts and recollections of clarinetists purporting to know someone who had a Benny Goodman clarinet. I’ve even seen mention of auctions and eBay listings with supposed Benny Goodman clarinets, although the listings are no longer active and cannot be verified as authentic.
It is always interesting to track down the instruments of famous musicians, but I am particularly interested in Benny’s missing Balanced Tone serial number of L3682, since he was attempting to locate this to record The Benny Goodman Story. To date, this clarinet has never been located, at least from what I can tell.
So, I’m turning to the clarinet community to help me track down this missing clarinet.
If you have or know anyone who might have an old Selmer Balanced Tone clarinet, check the serial number! Since this clarinet was obviously important enough for Benny Goodman to try and track down, it would be great to locate it to donate to a museum or somewhere for people to enjoy it.
If you have any information, leave a comment or contact me.