Benny Goodman broke racial barriers when he accepted an invitation to play at the Congress Hotel in Chicago. It lasted six months and was broadcast nationwide on the radio. It was during this musical residency that his newly formed trio made its public debut. This was the first time that black and white musicians performed on stage together in public. At the height of segregation the Rhythm Club performances were historic. When Goodman met pianist Teddy Wilson at a jam party he thought they played like they were "thinking with the same brain." With Gene Krupa on drums, this small ensemble played intricate solos that took the emphasis away from a big band sound.
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