I certainly can see why Benny Goodman would be a favorite. He's among mine. An incredible player! A true mover and shaker. I really enjoy so many of his recordings. I personally prefer his playing, and his bands, to Artie Shaw's for example.
Goodman sprang as a sort of prodigy from that dynamic Chicago scene and deserved his success. I heard him talk in 1974 at the University of Chicago, an experience I won't ever forget.
I love distortion too. As Jim mentioned, that full sound that breaks up a bit when pushed, that's the ticket for me. I like to hear that, and I like to find that similar sound when I play guitar. As my favorite amp is my '59 Bassman Reissue LTD, I've used a "Hot Plate" device to get the sound of the amp turned UP into that zone while still maintaining lower volume levels to not scare the neighbors. . . .
Having that potential to distort at the very top is another form of dynamic control and use in my opinion.
"She's Moved On," Porcupine Tree, "Deadwing" Cd. Just a track that has all the elements I like so much about this band. Rocking, moving, some virtuoso playing, dynamics, drama, beauty.
There's been some discussion of this in another Miles Davis thread. . . .
Personally, I'm pretending this hasn't been prepared. I'd love to have it, just because it's a cool collectible thing and I'm a Miles Davis collector FOR SURE, but I'm not buying it.
I have no real idea what the first music I heard was. I'm reasonably sure it was not Duke Ellington!
When I came to Duke's music what amazed me was the arrangements. (And who knows, did I hear Duke, or See'Pea? or . . .?) The way that the instruments were blended to create that "effect". . . that drew me in to listen and listen.
How about come in October, and go to the Caverns!
As you know, if you come this month. . . you're going to be HOT. Same is true generally, in Central Texas and Southern Texas especially, in September.
But. . . I bet you don't control the time completely on your own!