[Dixielandjazz] Goodman In Sacramento

[Robert Newman]

When Benny Goodman came to Sacramento in June, 1978, to visit his daughter Rachel, Bill Borcher, the organizer and then director of the Sacramento Jubilee, took Benny out fishing on the Sacramento river.    During that event, Bill asked Benny if he would consider being a guest star performer at the next Sacramento Jubilee.     We don't know what Benny's attitude was, but apparently he had told Bill to call Muriel Zuckerman, Benny's secretary, in New York City.

Well, over a period of months and many unsatisfactory calls,  he was told that Mr. Goodman would play during the Jubilee under the condition that it be set up as a single concert in an appropriate hall, he would have his own rhythm section, and would charge $25,000.    It never happened, at least in Sacramento.