Born on January 16
Swing Comes to Carnegie Hall
The night jazz took a seat.
Next: January 16, 2027
Where it comes from
This Story marks the anniversary of 16 January 1938, when the clarinettist Benny Goodman, the 'King of Swing', brought his orchestra to Carnegie Hall in New York. Carnegie Hall calls it the first time people sat in a concert hall to listen to swing rather than dance to it.
How it's celebrated
There is no formal observance, but the anniversary is a fine day to put on a swing record, or to listen to the concert itself: it was recorded privately and released in 1950 as The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert, which the Library of Congress has added to the National Recording Registry.
Did you know
The concert sold out weeks ahead, and the best seats cost $2.75.
Read the full story of Swing Comes to Carnegie Hall
Star sign
Capricorn · December 22 – January 19 · Earth sign
Patient and ambitious, climbing steadily to the top.