Benny Goodman , born Benjamin David Goodman , ( May 30 , 1909 â `` June 13 , 1986 ) was an American jazz musician who played the clarinet . He was called `` The King of Swing '' , `` Patriarch of the Clarinet '' , `` The Professor '' , and `` Swing 's Senior Statesman '' . Benjamin David â Bennyâ Goodman ( May 30 , 1909 â `` June 13 , 1986 ) was an American jazz and swing musician , clarinetist and bandleader ; widely known as the `` King of Swing '' .