Benny Heller

Benny Heller Heller and Ben was an American jazz guitarist of Swing, who played in the late 1930s when Benny Goodman and then with Harry James.

Heller was the rhythm guitarist in the band Steel Pier by Alexa Bartha in Atlantic City before coming March or April 1938 to Benny Goodman, succeeding Allan Reuss. He left the band with Harry James in January 1939, when he founded his own band in which also played Heller. From his recordings exist from 1938 to 1947. In the early 1990s he sold instruments of the Gretsch Company in Washington, DC.

1938 and 1940 he won the readers poll of Downbeat magazine as a guitarist.

References / Comments

• Jazz guitarist
• American musician
• Born in the 20th century
• Man