It seems like almost yesterday that swing music was born. It was January 16, 1938, in Carnegie Hall in New York City, and Jess Stacy from Cape Girardeau had a key role in the making of this coming-out party.
Carnegie Hall was considered too respectable for jazz at the time, but on this night, Benny Goodman's orchestra challenged musical traditions. Moe than 2,760 tickets were sold, with the premium seats going for a high of $2.75.
Goodman's plan for this unique performance was to open with familiar jazz titles: "O'clock Jump," "When My Baby Smiles," and "I Got Rhythm." The large audience was responsive, but not enthusiastic.
But the second half of the show brought a different reaction. Solos by Gene Krupa on drums, Babe Russin on saxophone, Bobby Hackett on trumpet and Benny Goodman on clarinet created was has been called "a musical earthquake."
The greatest moment of the concert was the performance of "Sing, Sing, Sing," arranged to provide for concluding solos by Goodman, Krupa, Hackett and James. The piece was supposed to last six minutes, but lasted 12 minutes and two seconds.
Goodman's incomparable solo was the planned conclusion, but when he finished, he looked at pianist Jess Stacy and nodded.
Although surprised by the opportunity, Stacy performed a two-minute, graceful and impressionistic solo, considered by some as the greatest jazz piano solo ever played.
It seems like almost yesterday.
