Jazz Instrumentation- Clarinet

[Leeway]

Jazz instrumetnation has changed over time; for example, the banjo is no longer much a part of jazz (except maybe for Bela Fleck). Tenor and alto sax (once marginal instruments) and piano now seem to predominate.

It occurs to me that the clarinet seems headed the way of the banjo in jazz. The clarinet's heyday was in the swing era;since then, its role has diminished- or has it? Will jazz groups 10 years from now still use the clarinet?

[J Larsen]

I hope they will. To me the instrument has a very warm, inviting sound. I love Buddy Defranco's work, as well as much of that of Sidney Bechet. Anthony Braxton has done some interesting things with the clarinet as well. I'm hard-pressed to think of another modern player though...

Actually, is Jimmy Guiffre still playing?

[PDEE]

Well I don't think there'll be many who use it, but you never can tell. The soprano wasn't too popular 'til Trane did his My Favourite things bit, though it is claimed that Lucky Thompson was using it regularily before Trane. Tranes use of the instrument certainly made a run on the Pawn shops to retrieve their instruments though.. even Getz used it a couple of times,


So maybe some leading figure will pick up a clarinet one day, impress the world and it'll be back

Difficult to imagine Free Form /Out Jazz on a clarinet though.. might sound like the neighbours kid

[J Larsen]

Oops - completely forgot about Don Byron. He's worth a listen.

[J Larsen]

Originally posted by PDEE
Difficult to imagine Free Form /Out Jazz on a clarinet though.. might sound like the neighbours kid

That's a risk on any instrument, isn't it? Don't misunderstand me, I have a fair amount of out-jazz in my collection, but in a way I think that it is probably one of the hardest forms of jazz to pull off musically. If you are not a very good musician, I suspect that you likely will sound like the neighbor's kid playing free. (I must qualify my opinion by confessing that I am a rather poor musician myself.)

[Leeway]

I love Buddy Defranco's work,

What actually brought the this thread to mind for me was an LP I was just listening to, Buddy DeFranco with the Oscar Peterson quartet. Excellent music! I'm not a big fan of the clarinet (or OP for that matter), but I really like this LP. DeFranco gets a nice sound from his clarinet, and does some wonderful interpretations. Oh yeah, Art Pepper, whom I really like, also played the clarinet occasionally. I'd recommend hispalying unreservedly. I'll have to check out Don Byron. Maybe there is hope for the clarinet, but I don't expect it tocome back to prominence as in Goodman's day. I'll add that the Blakey-Roach era of drum leaders also seems to be a thing of the past.

[PDEE]

Originally posted by J Larsen


That's a risk on any instrument, isn't it? Don't misunderstand me, I have a fair amount of out-jazz in my collection, but in a way I think that it is probably one of the hardest forms of jazz to pull off musically. If you are not a very good musician, I suspect that you likely will sound like the neighbor's kid playing free. (I must qualify my opinion by confessing that I am a rather poor musician myself.)

Me too way to old to be a kid, but if I try to play... I'm right there

Damn I couldn't remember Dom Byron... senility is dangerous

[AfricaBrass]

I love clarinet. I had a roommate once who had a clarinet. I used to play that thing all the time. I wish I would have kept it up.

I love Pee Wee Russell, Buddy DeFranco, Jimmy Guiffre.

I've liked some of Don Byron's albums. If anyone is checking Byron out, I'd avoid Nu Blaxploitation. It didn't do anything for me. I can't believe the All Music Guide gives it 4 1/2 stars. I don't know what album they were listening to when they reviewed it, but it couldn't have been the same one I heard. If anyone likes that album, please help me to see what I'm missing. I haven't bought any of his albums since that one. Any recommendations?

Any other recommendations for good modern clarinet albums?

[BeBop]

There's an interesting retrospective in the current Shuffle Boil on jazz clarinet (including bass clarinet), with a special feature on Tony Scott. Also discussed in some depth: Eric Dolphy, Tony Coe, Ben Goldberg, John Carter Marty Ehrlich and Perry Robinson.

Mentioned in passing: Johnny Dodds, Sidney Bechet, Pee Wee Russell, Jimmy Noone, George Lewis, Edmund Hall, Buster Bailey, Albert Nicholas, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Barney Bigard, Russell Procope, Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Benny Maupin, Buddy DeFranco, Jimmy Giuffre, Buddy Collette, Hal McKusick...

Somehow the name "Lester Young" never comes up.

Still, the article argues for a pretty significant legacy for "wind inside a stick".

[omar zamora]

Originally posted by AfricaBrass
Any other recommendations for good modern clarinet albums?

Anything by Louis Sclavis. Did anyone see him at Tonic (NY) tonight? The ECMs are great, but if you can find the two trio recordings (with Henri Texier and Aldo Romano)...well, there's just nothing quite like it.

Michael Moore. Beautiful tone. Both melodic and very "out" at the same time (when he wants to be). Look for him with the ICP Orchestra (touring in the US soon!), the Clusone 3 recordings, his own recordings on Ramboy (his own label). or the two Monitor Trio recordings on Between the Lines. The last one on BTL called Air Street was in my top 5 jazz recordings from last year.

[vibes]

Mention the word "clarinet" and the first person that always comes to mind for me is Eric Dolphy, on bass clarinet. Of all the instruments he played, I prefer him on this instrument. I never get tired of listening to "Hat and Beard" on "Out to Lunch" for this reason. Blows me away every time!

[AfricaBrass]

Omar,
Thanks for the suggestions! I had heard of Louis Sclavis, but Michael Moore is new to me.

I definitely pick up some cds by these guys!

:)

[cliff peterson]

love clarinet and one could make a list that is longer than the accumulation of what has already been presented. heartily recommend michael moore-fabulous player. his disc doing a bob dylan tribute is interesting. also, some doublers that were not mentioned who are worthy of mention in my opinion are phil woods and nick brignola. I second recommendations of art pepper's clarinet playing. having recently gotten a computer with a cd burner I may do that which I always desired, burn cds that compile the clarinet playing of woods, pepper and brignola on o individual cdrs. nick was too often pigeon holed as a premier baritone sax player when in fact he was a real multi reedist. there is a brignola recording on the resevoir label from the late 80's or early nineties that has a rendition of "tenderly" that brings me to my knees whenever I hear it. and then there are the projects like the couple clarinet summits involving david murray, jimmy hamilton, et al. plus the clarinet family album organized by and listed under hamiett bluiett's name. another modern improvisor of merit is mark whitecage. check out perry robinson's work on william parker's recent eremite release bob's cadillac. another modern interpeter is theo jorgensman who has some recent releases on the hatology label. an "old-timer" that is still living and is an excellent player is putte wickman. check out his releases on the dragon label. david murray's all bass clarinet album on diw? I believe giuffre has been ill for a while which is maybe why there has not been any recent recordings by him.
oh yeah, another modern clarinet player is francois houle. mr houle has a number of releases on various labels like red toucan, jazz focus etc., one of them is a release dedicated to the music of john carter that is excellent. also, another younger player is ab baars who has recordings on his own label which i doubt I would spell correctly -geest...... In any case mr. baars' cds are available through cadence north country and are great. he has a cd dedicated to the music of ornette coleman that is worthwhile listening.


how about a discussion of oboe and bassoon players?

leeway-I don't agree with you analogy of the clarinet to the banjo. the banjo was pretty much replaced by the popularity of the guitar in the late 20's and 30's while the clarinet has always stuck around. There have always been clarinet players no matter what new type of music has been identified labeled as a subcategory of jazz (though as I write this I cannot think of a "fushion" clarinet player).

by the way, for another current banjo player, check out alison browne.

oh yeah, another clarinet player is bernard berkout.

anyone see that tony scott and buddy de franco will be appearing together at the iridium jazz club in new york in june?

[J Larsen]

I might have to check out that show at the Iridium. Thanks for the heads up.

Incidently, I've heard that Woody Allen plays a mean clarinet. He had a regular gig in NYC before he moved away, but I never caught it.

Also, thanks to those who suggested more contemporary clarinetists to check out. I'll definately be giving some of these guys a listen.

[cliff peterson]

regarding woody allen-there is a documentary about a tour of this jazz group in europe I believe called "wild man blues" or something to that effect

[J Larsen]

:confused: How did I forget about that movie? Thanks for mentioning it.

[bary01]

my list :
eddie daniels , eddie daniels , eddie daniels and eddie daniels :D

[Bev Stapleton]

I love clarinet.

Louis Sclavis has already been mentioned - clarinet lovers really should treat themselves to the two trio discs with Henri Texier and Aldo Romano on Label Bleu. Texier's son, Sebastien also plays nice clarinet (as well as alto) on his recent Azure Quintet CDs - 'Mosaic Man' is one of my favourite recordings of recent years.

In the UK there are some great clarinet players - Tony Coe, Alan Barnes, Chris Biscoe. John Surman, of course, on bass clarinet.

Italy, of course, has a host of them; it seems to suit the folkier end of Italian jazz - Gianluigi Trovesi is probably the best known but look out for Gabriele Mirabassi.

A recent purchase I've enthused over elsewhere - 'Chorale' by the Simone Guiducci Gramelot Ensemble - has two clarinets on board the main band (Fausto Beccalossi and Achille Succi).

Although the clarinet seemed to lose its place in bebop and 60s jazz (it probably had an 'image' problem, with its swing band and Dixieland associations) it appears to be making a strong reappearance in the pluralist world of jazz today.

[Muskrat Ramble]

I finally picked up my first John Zorn album recently, his Bar Kokhba: Masada Chamber Ensembles. It's a rather unclassifiable album (as I gather a lot of his stuff is) that could perhaps be described as a cross between klezmer, jazz, and contemporary classical chamber music. There's some outstanding clarinet playing on the album by klezmer/jazz musician David Krakauer. Judging by the first of its two discs, the album is well worth a listen overall, for that matter.

(And as for greats from the past, don't forget Ed(mond) Hall, who played with Pops for a long time. Outstanding "dirty" tone.)

[Leeway]

Thanks to all those who shared information about contemporary clarinet playing. You're right Bev. I listen to a lot of bebop, hardbop and 60s jazz and the clarinet is not so well represented there (but as some pointed out- it IS there-- Dolphy et al.). It looks as if the demise of the clarinet is not so certain as I speculated.

However, I would maintain that clarinet players do not have the standing in contemporary jazz that the pianists and sax players have. If these instruments were stocks (and I know they are not, but play along with my analogy), I'd say that piano and sax are current blue chips; trumpet and drums are still strong buys but are down from previous highs (the Marsalis trumpet stock had once shown strong potential but has underperformed in the market); the bass and vibes have made an upward move recently; and the clarinet is a speculative stock with upward potential. In jazz, change is good. :)

[shawn·m]

Originally posted by bary01
my list :
eddie daniels , eddie daniels , eddie daniels and eddie daniels :D

That reminds me, I’ve always enjoyed Under the Influence where Daniels alternates between clarinet and tenor. I really should check out more of his work, It’s the only recording of his that I have.

[cliff peterson]

leeway-just playing along with your analogy to stocks-on what basis do you put vibes ahead of clarinet? because of stefon harris and perhaps lesser so joe locke or bryan carrot? I would assert that there are many more clarinet players playing in a more modern syle of jazz music then there are vibes. don't get me wrong- I love the vibes I just don't quite agee with your analogy

[Don Brown]

What about Phil Woods, Kenny Davern, Ken Peplowski, Phil Nimmons, Sandy Brown and Tony Scott? BeBop mentioned Lester Young, a player whose handful of recordings on clarinet are often cited as classics of recorded jazz. Interestingly, Lester used a metal instrument.

[Bev Stapleton]

Leeway,

I think you are right about 'mainstream' jazz - trumpet and sax still dominate the releases that get out on Verve or Blue Note.

But look at the smaller labels and the dominance is nowhere near as strong. A label like ECM is as like to have clarinet, accordion or oud in the front line. Yes, trumpet, sax, piano are still the frontrunners but other instruments are becoming increasingly common.

This is particularly noticeable in the jazz emerging from Europe where there is a determination to be independent of the American model amongst a certain type of musician; and where local folk music has brought across not just different rhythms and harmonies but different instrumentation.

[JamesJazz]

Detroiter Wendell Harrison has some pretty good clarinet chops. He uses the instrument to advantage in his clarinet ensemble, which features some 'modern' arrangements as well as more New Orleans flavored stuff.

[joefont]

I could be wrong but I think it may have something to do with the instrument's reputation. I learned clarinet as a kid and played in the middle and high school band, and always got the feeling from the other "musicians" that the clarinet was a somewhat "wimpy" instrument that only the "girls" played (I was one of the only two clarinet players in the band). Could this have something to do with the lack of clarinet in jazz today?

[liamw]

I don't think anybody mentioned Buddy Collette. And Art Pepper played clarinet on at least one tune on nearly all his albums, including Art Pepper +11.

In older times I believe most saxophone players started out on the clarinet. I remember reading somewhere that when Joe Morgan, who idolized Charlie Parker, wanted to learn alto, Parker himself made him start with the clarinet. Obviously there are still plenty of jazz musicians who play the instrument, but there are fewer for whom it is their ONLY instrment. I think the clarinet fell into disfavor mostly because of its close association with Swing, and especially Benny Goodman. But it's interesting that other instruments associated with swingband leaders, and also with dixieland (the trombone, for instance), didn't meet the same fate.

[Leeway]

Originally posted by cliff peterson
leeway-just playing along with your analogy to stocks-on what basis do you put vibes ahead of clarinet? because of stefon harris and perhaps lesser so joe locke or bryan carrot? I would assert that there are many more clarinet players playing in a more modern syle of jazz music then there are vibes. don't get me wrong- I love the vibes I just don't quite agee with your analogy

Cliff, that was indeed the reason for my "stock pick" ;) Heralded players can sometimes lift the "stock" of their instrument. Hawkins, Young, Rollins, did so for the sax; Monk, Powell for the piano; Hamp for the vibes. Don't want to put Stefon in that class, but he has made people take a new look at the vibes. Can't say that I've seen a clarinetist these days do the same. But the posts in this thread have hipped me to some new (to me) names, which is what I like about AAJ.

[BruceH]

Has anyone heard the Artie Shaw 2-disc "Last Recordings" set? Some of the best clarinet playing of all time! (And I say this as a big fan of Pee Wee Russell and Buddy DeFranco.)

It seems like more musicians are playing the bass clarinet lately. Either that, or I'm noticing it more after getting into its sound in the last couple of years. What a cool-sounding instrument.

[LeMo]

The Clarinet are going throught a passionnate revival these last ten years, thanks to the "free music" and "the klezmer renaissance" (Ben Goldberg, David Krakauer among others) for that:

Two Things about the black stick:

- One of the three or four best clarinet player actually in activity is André Jaume.
There are two records on his own label CELP (you can find it on Cadence) where he is driving the instrument to the top: "Clarinet Session" and "A Portrait of Jimmy Giuffre".

André Jaume is the French most underrated musician than I know. He is master of the tenor sax, flûte, clarinet and bass clarinet and has recorded some great albums with Joe McPhee, Jimmy Giuffre, Raymond Boni, Daniel Humair (a duet one), Charlie Haden, Barre Phillips, Barry Altschul, John Medeski, Charlie Mariano to name few...

- If Giuffre can't play anymore, there is still the marvellous and very actif Perry Robinson who makes once more a fine job in the "William Parker Clarinet Trio: Bob's Pink Cadillac" on Eremite.

L Larsen: Sidney Bechet plays mostly soprano sax and a very little clarinet on all the recordings he has done (like his famous take on "Summertime" for BN).
Difficult to cast him as a master of the clarinet has it's to often done.

[Bev Stapleton]

There's alovely record on Black Saint by Hamiet Bluiett called 'The Clarinet Family' - 8 clarinets of various types plus bass and drums playing a very modern approach to the clarinet. A live recording from 1984.

[cliff peterson]

leeway-see your point but would say that you are putting too much significance on stefon. other than his talent, he has the benefit of being on a major label-I would argue that byron being blue note has done as much for the clarinet as harris' connection with blue note has done for the vibes. in either case very little. that said, both are great musicians.

as an aside, stefon comes from the area of new york that I, alexander, and brian p. live in-the new york capital region. he went to school with my wife's nephew. check out houle, baars and jorgensman. all three are great.


any takers for discussion of oboe or basson in jazz?

[liamw]

"I remember reading somewhere that when Joe Morgan, who idolized Charlie Parker, wanted to learn alto, Parker himself made him start with the clarinet."

Ofcourse you alll realized I meant FRANK Morgan. Though there's probably a Joe Morgan playing alto out there somewhere.

[bubber]

I agree with those who say that the clarinet is a beautiful instrument. In addition to the names mentioned above, I would offer Putte Wickman from Sweden (mainstream swing to bop), and altoist Arne Domnerus from the same country also plays some mean clarinet.

Further I'd like to remind everybody of the use of clarinet(s) in the music of Duke Ellington - what great tonal colour variations that man could create blending clarinet and saxes etc.

[paul_the_bear]

Originally posted by joefont
I could be wrong but I think it may have something to do with the instrument's reputation. I learned clarinet as a kid and played in the middle and high school band, and always got the feeling from the other "musicians" that the clarinet was a somewhat "wimpy" instrument that only the "girls" played (I was one of the only two clarinet players in the band). Could this have something to do with the lack of clarinet in jazz today?
Joe --
There might be something to that "reputation thing," although when -- and where, maybe -- I was in middle school, most of the clarinet players were guys (we looked down on the oboe as a "girl's instrument";) ). Our teacher refused to have saxophones in the mix, regarding the clarinet as the foundational reed instrument from which we could later progress to the sax family if we wanted to. (By the time I got to high school, of course, there were kids from other middle schools who were lightyears ahead of me on the tenor and alto, but by then I'd fallen for the piano anyway, so it didn't seem to matter :D .)

Back in that late fifties-early sixties era, of course, the clarinet was thought of in terms of Benny Goodman or Pete Fountain (or Irving Fazola, maybe, if you wanted to dig a little); other than that, you were liable to find yourself forever playing "Afternoon of a Faun" if you stuck with clarinet . . .

-- Paul

[PDEE]

Originally posted by LeMo
.

L Larsen: Sidney Bechet plays mostly soprano sax and a very little clarinet on all the recordings he has done (like his famous take on "Summertime" for BN).
Difficult to cast him as a master of the clarinet has it's to often done.

Hmn, I haven't done a count, but in his earlier days,,, pre, France Bechet recorded a lot on clarinet

Have you heard..

Blues in Thirds
Blue Horizon
Nobody Knows howI Feel This Morning
Wild Man Blues
Mood Indigo
One O'Clock Jump
St Louis Blues
Blue For You Johnny
Aint misbehavin
Coal Black shine
Egyptian Fantasy
Texas Moaner

All are from the 39 - 40's Feetwarmers sessions where switched between instruments regularily.

I could go on, but the first two solidly place Bechet as an important clarinetist in Jazz.

[Late]

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/04/22/84/96/0004228496442_150X150.jpg

For me, this is one of the most far-reaching, and pleasing, albums of clarinet playing from the (last of half of the) 20th century. Giuffre's tone, as soon as it hits you on the first track ("Jesus Maria") is just gorgeous. I can't think of anyone (or any group) that was playing quite like this in 1961. As much as I like the album (Free Fall) that followed these sessions, I'd still say that this two-disc package is the one (if there's only going to be one) essential Giuffre purchase.

If you can find Perry Robinson's Savoy date, Funk Dumpling, don't hesitate in picking it up. Interesting crew on board (Kenny Barron, Henry Grimes, Paul Motian), and a relatively forward-thinking session.

Two clarinettists that I don't think have been mentioned yet, both from France: Hubert Roistang and Maurice Meunier. Both were multi-instrumentalists, but seemed to favor the clarinet in preference to the saxophone. Meunier's sound is the closest I've heard (aside from perhaps Michael Moore) to Giuffre's — that warm chalemeau (if I'm getting my terms right) sound. Both Roistang and Meunier's playing can be found on the very affordable Clarinettes à Saint-Germain des Prés on the "Jazz in Paris" series. The disc is around 77 minutes, and has some fine swing-to-bop blowing on it. (Dusty Groove was carrying it for a while at $4.99. Hard to beat!)

Cliff, I'll bite on your oboe/bassoon question. Have you heard Michael Cooke? He's a young multi-instrumentalist from the Bay Area that plays bassoon. I like his playing better than Karen Borca's, who always seems to me one of the few names that comes up when the bassoon is mentioned. (I do like her playing quite a bit though.) Cooke has a solo album out on his own label, Black Hat, that includes some fine bassoon outings.

[D.D.]

Well, you can't get more clarinet than on this record:

Clarinet Summit - In Concert (India Navigation)

4 clarinetist - 4 unique styles (Jimmy Hamilton is from the Ellington Band, as far as I remember). The whole history of clarinet playing.

You might know all the names here, except for Alvin Batiste, who is, IMO, the most impressive. You wanted 'in/out' clarinet - here you are! You wanted different sound - there we go! Unparallelled technique (is it circular breathing?), unlimited musicality, intense playing. Check out his 'Bayou Magic', also on India Navigation label (OOP, but pops out on e-bay occasionally) - some explorative and infinitley imaginative playing (melodic and accessible, at the same time) over unusual calypso-like background. Batiste's calrinet is whirling like an bat over (or, rather in- and out-) very non-linear accompaniment (some interesting drumming here).

Clarinet has limited abilities? - Ha!

I think Batiste has also a CD on Columbia, but I haven't heard it.

[PDEE]

There is another Clarinet Summit on Black Saint called Southern Bells.. really interesting mix of styles by the same participants.

Hamilton was indeed the main clarinetist for the Ellington Band after Barney Bigard,s departure. David Murray plays bass clarinet against the regular Bflat that the other three use..

As for Bigard, I think his years with Duke were his best. His later work with the Armstrong Allstars seemed to be a bit lack lustre to me, as though he were coasting, pulling out a regular bunch of tricks. The Ellington / Armstrong recording excepted, where perhaps being around his old Boss put him on his toes a bit.

[Rooster_Ties]

Although he doesn't play clarinet all that often, let me put a BIG plug in for Greg Osby, who has played clarinet on a few tracks, here and here, over the past few years. He favors the lower register, and has a warm and creamy tone.

I'll say this much - and I'm not the biggest fan of jazz clarinet - but I'd pay full price, the day it hit the streets, to hear an album of Greg's with him playing clarinet on every tune. (I would especially love to hear him on alto clarinet too (half-way between standard clarinet, and bass clarinet). I doubt he'll ever play one, but I'd still love to hear it - none the less.

=====

And another name I should also mention is Chris Speed, who's work I mostly know from him being a sideman on several Dave Douglas albums. Quite nice.

[Late]

D.D., Alvin Batiste's album on Columbia is entitled ... Late!

Nice playing therein, too.

[D.D.]

Originally posted by Late
http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/04/22/84/96/0004228496442_150X150.jpg

For me, this is one of the most far-reaching, and pleasing, albums of clarinet playing from the (last of half of the) 20th century. Giuffre's tone, as soon as it hits you on the first track ("Jesus Maria") is just gorgeous. I can't think of anyone (or any group) that was playing quite like this in 1961. As much as I like the album (Free Fall) that followed these sessions, I'd still say that this two-disc package is the one (if there's only going to be one) essential Giuffre purchase.



Agree! Also, the same trio recorded three discs for Owl Records in 1990 - they were recently reissued by Universal France. I have only one of them ('The Life of a Trio: Saturday') and it's excellent.

[brownie]

Originally posted by D.D.


Agree! Also, the same trio recorded three discs for Owl Records in 1990 - they were recently reissued by Universal France. I have only one of them ('The Life of a Trio: Saturday') and it's excellent.

All three (trio) Owl albums by Giuffre/Bley/Swallow are magnificient. The interplay level and the improvisional invention between the three is simply stunning.

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by omar zamora


Anything by Louis Sclavis. Did anyone see him at Tonic (NY) tonight? The ECMs are great, but if you can find the two trio recordings (with Henri Texier and Aldo Romano)...well, there's just nothing quite like it.



I cannot but agree. I have Louis Sclavis / L'affrontement des prétendants on ECM and I must admit it's a great album, but his trio recordings with bass player Henri Texier and drummer Aldo Romano are indeed even better.

http://www.rattaymusic.de/releases/Label%20Bleu/Romano.Scla.Tex.Suite%20Afr.html

David Krakauer is another great contemporary jazz clarinet player. He combines jazz with Jewish folk music and rock. He has two albums on John Zorn's TZADIK label and two albums on the French Label Bleu. Krakauer also plays the music of contemporary composers such as John Zorn, Luciano Berio and Steve Reich.
His latest album is a good recommendation:

David Krakauer / The twelve tribes / Label Bleu

http://www.rattaymusic.de/releases/Label%20Bleu/Krakauer.12Tribes.html

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by vibes
Mention the word "clarinet" and the first person that always comes to mind for me is Eric Dolphy, on bass clarinet. Of all the instruments he played, I prefer him on this instrument. I never get tired of listening to "Hat and Beard" on "Out to Lunch" for this reason. Blows me away every time!

IMO Dolphy is THE BEST clarinet player in modern jazz. Moreover, he is the most interesting successor of Parker on the alto. 'Out to lunch' is a real classic!

[D.D.]

One more vote for Perry Robinson. His 'Call to the Stars' (1990, West Wind) with magnificent Ed Schuller on bass, very inventive pianist Simon Nabatov (check out his solo CDs on Leo!) and Ernst Bier on drums, is melodic, explorative and original.

I also saw Perry Robinson live with Ed Schuller (bass, again) and Arthur (Art) Baron (trombone, lower brass) in NYC this summer, and this was simply one of the best concerts I've ever been to. They were just playing one extended free piece, a meeting of old friends who haven't played with each other for years (I think Robinso was travelling for a long time, and Schuller was a lst minute substitute for Mario Papvone), but every note, every little squeak sounded right..no, not right - PERFECT. Ironically, Robinson's chops didn't seem that good that night, but Baron and Schuller were simply unbelievable. I never heard trombone so diverse and expressive. The musicians went into some sort of trance and when they stopped playing, they just sat there and stared at each other silently in amazament for a minute or so; then Barron said somethig like "And we don't need drugs anymore to play like this!".

Too bad there were only five of us in the audience...

[Tjazz]

Did anyone mention Dr. Michael White? His recent release is JAZZ FROM THE SOUL OF NEW ORLEANS.

Paquito D'Rivera also switches between tenor and clarinet on several of his Columbia albums. (some he plays tenor only) He had a CD called THE CLARINETIST VOL ONE on Peregrina Music.

I like Eddie Daniels alot too. Have just about all of his albums/CDs.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've written down most of the artists that I haven't heard and will try to get their CDs.

Does anybody have the CD: George Lewis ON STAGE vol. 2? (Verve import). I have vol. 1 and was wondering if there is a vol. 2 out there?

There was a various artists of clarinetists, I think it was called : CLARINET MARMALADE. It had about 26 different artists each playing 1 song. Just found it recently. Nice overview of styles.

Also, what about Ken Peplowski? I like him too. Have most of his albums/CDs.

I like the clarinet playing on the Wilbur De Paris albums.

[Tjazz]

Originally posted by AfricaBrass

I've liked some of Don Byron's albums. If anyone is checking Byron out, I'd avoid Nu Blaxploitation. It didn't do anything for me. I can't believe the All Music Guide gives it 4 1/2 stars. I don't know what album they were listening to when they reviewed it, but it couldn't have been the same one I heard. If anyone likes that album, please help me to see what I'm missing. I haven't bought any of his albums since that one. Any recommendations?

Any other recommendations for good modern clarinet albums?

I have most of Don Byron's CDs. I'll go back and give NU a listen. There are vocals on the CD. Kinda reminds me of Gil Scott Heron's THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED and some of the tracks remind me of the funk of Tower of Power.

I have an extra NU Blaxploitation CD, if anyone is interested? $4 postpaid (to USA) (clean version for radio and in store play) Promo comes in standard jewel case with front cover and back tray, but no booklet. 1998 Blue Note

[Mnytime]

Don't forget Ken Vandermark.

[Mnytime]

Another four multi-instrumentalists I forgot to mention who are excellent on the clarinet.

Vinny Golia
John Carter
Wolfgang Fuchs
Hans Koch


I can't believe I forgot to mention Lester Young. Who was one of the best. IMHO

If we start talking about the Bass Clarinet there are a lot more that have not been mentioned.

[EKE BBB]

Originally posted by Mnytime
If we start talking about the Bass Clarinet there are a lot more that have not been mentioned.

Dolphy, first of all!!!

[Tjazz]

Mosaic hasn't forgotten the clarinet:

Sidney Bechet (Blue Note)
George Lewis (Blue Note)
Buddy Defranco
Benny Goodman (Capitol)
Jimmy Giuffre (Atlantic)
Woody Herman (Capitol)

[Tjazz]

I just found a VHS tape of Benny Goodman AT THE TIVOLI (1981).

Does anyone know of any other videos?:confused: