Springfield Armory National Historic Site - Benny Goodman at SA (U.S. National Park Service)

"The Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands,"

Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA,

Sept. 29, 1943

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra entertained on what must have been a chilly day in the Armory; most of the audience (and several members of the band) kept their coats and hats on.

photo 4201-SA.D.1 Springfield Armory NHS Archives, US NPS

Goodman's band included Hymie Schertzer [fr. row, 2nd from left], lead alto saxophone; Al Klink [fr. row, 3rd from left], tenor saxophone; Ernie Caceres [fr. row, right], baritone saxophone; and Bill Harris [2nd row], trombone.

photo 4201-SA.B.1 Springfield Armory NHS Archives, US NPS

The Goodman Quintet - including Jess Stacy, piano, and Sid Weiss, bass [both with their backs to the camera] - performing "Sweet Georgia Brown."

Goodman's stage stood before the Main Arsenal Building

photo 4201-SA.E.1 Springfield Armory NHS Archives, US NPS

The Armory stage was nicely decorated with the American flag and some patriotic banners. Notice the large number of women in the audience. By 1943, when this concert occured, more than 42% of the workforce were women, known as Women Ordnance Workers.

photo 4202-SA.A.1 Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS

Following the opening "Spotlight Bands" theme music, they started with "Sugar Foot Stomp." Gene Krupa had returned to the group as its drummer on September 21st. He is seen here with fellow Goodman band members Lee Castle [right], trumpet; and Allan Reuss [left foreground], guitar.

photo 4202-SA.C.1 Springfield Armory NHS Archives, US NPS

The remainder of the program consisted of "Clarinet a la King," "Good-Bye," and the closing "Spotlight Bands" theme.

photo 4201-SA.C.1 Springfield Armory NHS Archives, US NPS

Krupa and Goodman take a bow. The program was sponsored by Coca-Cola, which had placed a small promotional display [right] on stage.

photo 4204-SA.1 Springfield Armory NHS Archives, US NPS

An engineer for the Blue Network adjusted the controls, while the packed house kept its eyes on the band [off-screen, stage left]. The Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) transcribed the first 15 minutes of music, for rebroadcast to Allied servicemen around the world. Their program also included two songs sung by Ray Dorey, "No Love, No Nuthin'," and "Sunday, Monday and Always," as well as a Goodman vocal, "Paducah."

See newspaper clippings of September 24th and September 25th, 1943, describing the concert! Learn more about The Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands!

We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the research and text on this page to Christopher Popa, and his Big Band Library