Band · 1980 to 1981
Benny Goodman Band 1980/81
Berlin, Rome and Copenhagen
When a European band was put together for two concerts by Benny Goodman at the Berlin Philharmonie in November 1980, Harry Pepl was on guitar. Recordings for the film score to “Fantasma d'Amore” in Rome followed in 1981, along with a television concert at the Tivoli in Copenhagen. Goodman dedicated a photo to him: “To Harry, a great guitarist, my best, Benny”. The concerts have been released on “Berlin 1980” and “Farewell”.
Harry Pepl Guitarist of the band
At a glance
- Leader
- Benny Goodman (clarinet)
- Berlin line-up
- Don Haas (piano), Peter “Fifi” Witte (bass), Charly Antolini (drums)
- Concerts
- 7 and 8 November 1980, Berlin Philharmonie; September 1981, Tivoli Copenhagen
- Studio
- film score “Fantasma d'Amore”, Rome 1981 (music by Riz Ortolani)
- Guests in Copenhagen
- Jimmy Maxwell (trumpet), Svend Asmussen (violin)
- Releases
- Berlin 1980 (TCB Records, 1996), Fantasma d'Amore (CAM, 1992), B.G. World-Wide (TCB, 1993), Farewell (TV Matters, 2003)
Berlin 1980
The occasion was Helmut Schmidt's chancellor's reception as part of the Berliner Festspiele. The musicians were chosen by the Swiss businessman Kurt A. Mueller, who later released the recordings together with Peter Schmidlin. Pepl at first declined because swing was not his music; his father persuaded him. After a rehearsal on 6 November, the band played at the Philharmonie on 7 and 8 November 1980: Benny Goodman (clarinet), Harry Pepl (guitar), Don Haas (piano), Peter “Fifi” Witte (bass) and Charly Antolini (drums).1 On the album, “Harry Pepl's Blues” is the only track with just one composer credited: an extended, evidently spontaneously improvised blues for which Goodman announced Pepl's solo without it having been agreed.2 The concerts were released in 1996 as “Berlin 1980” on TCB Records (Swiss jazz label).
Rome and Copenhagen 1981
In Rome in 1981 the band recorded jazz versions of Riz Ortolani's film score for Dino Risi's film “Fantasma d'Amore” with Romy Schneider and Marcello Mastroianni; for this Pepl borrowed a Gibson from a music shop.3 In September 1981 a television concert followed at the Tivoli in Copenhagen with the guests Jimmy Maxwell (trumpet) and Svend Asmussen (violin), released in 2003 as “Farewell” on DVD and CD. It was Pepl's last collaboration with Goodman; he declined a further concert in Vienna.4
Swing with a small amplifier
For Goodman, Pepl changed his sound: no reverb, no delay, a small amplifier, „wie der Großvater von Charlie Christian“ [“like Charlie Christian's grandfather”]. In the process he learned to play swing, but saw no effect on his later playing.5 After Berlin, Goodman sent him a photo from the chancellor's reception with a dedication; it is in the family archive.6
Parts
To Harry, a great guitarist, my best, Benny
Benny had such a radiance, really, in his phrasing and in everything, it was absolutely brilliant
Somehow I played like Charlie Christian’s grandfather, so even older.
He swings like hell
Releases
Questions and answers
When did Harry Pepl play with Benny Goodman?
In 1980 and 1981: at two concerts on 7 and 8 November 1980 at the Berlin Philharmonie, at recordings in Rome in 1981 and, in September 1981, at a television concert at the Tivoli (amusement park and concert venue) in Copenhagen.
On which recordings can Pepl be heard with Goodman?
On “Berlin 1980” (TCB Records, Swiss jazz label, 1996), on the film score “Fantasma d'Amore” (CAM, 1992), on the compilation “B.G. World-Wide” (1993) and on “Farewell” from Copenhagen (TV Matters, 2003).
What is “Harry Pepl's Blues”?
An extended, evidently spontaneously improvised blues from the Berlin concerts of 1980. On the album “Berlin 1980” it is the only track with Harry Pepl as sole composer; Goodman announced his solo without having agreed it beforehand.
What did Benny Goodman write to Harry Pepl?
On a photo from the chancellor's reception in Berlin he wrote: “To Harry, a great guitarist, my best, Benny”.