" But Benny's will & drive also his precocious talent allowed him to become a member of the American Federation of Musicians later that year also allowing him to play with Bix Beiderbecke. By his mid-teens Goodman was already established as leading musician, working on numerous engagements with many bands to the detriment of his formal education. In 1925, Goodman would receive the break he was destined to receive. Benny was heard by Gil Rodin, who was then with a popular band led by Ben Pollack, Goodman was hired by Pollack, and the following year made a triumphal return to Chicago as a featured soloist with the band. Goodman remained with Pollack but in between jobs, Goodman jammed with members of the Austin High Gang (Dave Tough, Bud Freeman and others) who introduced him to New Orleans Rhythm Kings and Dixieland clarinet style of Leon Rappolo. Goodman accompanied Pollack to New York in 1928 and then left Pollack to join Red Nichols in 1929, when he became a much in-demand session musician in New York, making many hundreds o records and radio dates. Keenly ambitious and already a determined perfectionist, Goodman continued to develop his craft until he was perhaps the most skilled clarinet player in the country, even if he was virtually unknown to the generally public. .
During the late 20's and early 30's Goodman played in bands led by Red Nichols, Ben Selvin, Ted Lewis, Sam Lanin and others, sometimes for club, dance hall and theatre engagements and also in pit bands for Broadway musicals and did freelance work for radio shows. Benny made an impressive amount of records at this time of his career. Benny even managed to do some recording for cartoons and the "talkies." Goodman also made recordings playing instruments other than the clarinet. Often, throughout his career he played alto sax. At least once, he made recording playing bass clarinet, baritone sax, soprano sax, tenor sax, and even cornet.
