Benjamin David Goodman, born May 30, 1909, died June 13, 1986, was an American jazz musician, clarinetist and bandleader, known as, "King of Swing," "Patriarch of the Clarinet," "The Rajah of Rhythm," "The Professor," and "Swing's Senior Statesman," amongst others.

In the mid-1930s, Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America. Goodman's bands launched the careers of many major names in jazz, and during an era of segregation, he also led one of the first racially-integrated musical groups.

Goodman was born in Chicago, Illinois, the ninth of twelve children of poor Jewish immigrants. His father was David Goodman, was a tailor and his mother was Dora Rezinski. His parents met in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Chicago before Benny was born.