What’s New? Reimagining Benny Goodman – Oran Etkin

What’s New? Reimagining Benny Goodman is an album by clarinetist and saxophonist Oran Etkin, released by Motéma Music, which proposes a critical and contemporary reinterpretation of the repertoire popularized by the famous bandleader.

The project is articulated through a core quartet featuring Sullivan Fortner, Steve Nelson, and Matt Wilson, with a special collaboration from vocalist Charenee Wade. This instrumentation explores the sonics of historical swing from a chamber perspective, prioritizing structural interaction over stylistic imitation.

The selected repertoire ranges from traditional swing-era standards to complex compositions from the early jazz tradition, organized through arrangements that fragment rhythm, extend harmonies, and alter the internal driving dynamics of the ensemble.