Klarinet Archive - Posting 000032.txt from 1995/01

From: Syd Polk <jazzman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: More Stoltzman and Shifrin
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 1995 13:58:35 -0500

OK, I just have to put in my two cents' worth.

Before I start, I mention some stuff about my background. I really am
not trying to do one upsmanship, or put down anybody elses tastes
by saying "I know more about jazz than you do"; jazz is very subjective
and everybody is different in their reactions.

I am not a very good improvisor, but I have been playing jazz on sax
for about 15 years now. I was a jazz major at the University of Miami
for a year, and I went to a performing arts high school and a junior high
school which were both strong in jazz. I also ran the jazz show at my college
radio for two years.

I don't like Stolzman's playing, either jazz or classical. I don't care
about the vibrato, but I think his sound is shallow and he leaks air,
which is a real pet peave of mine in clarinet playing. (I am just
begging for a flame war here!) I don't think he improvises particularly
well, and I don't like his phrasing and sensitivity in either jazz
or classical.

For jazz, I really like Eddie Daniels, Buddy DeFranco, and Jimmy Giufre (sp?).
I also like Eric Dolphy and Bob Mintzer on bass clarinet.

For classical, I am too new in hearing classical players to have a long list.
I really like my cousin's playing, Kennen White. I like Sabina Meyer.
I really don't like Stoltzman. I need to get more exposure to classical
players in general. Oh, and I don't much like Richard Pickar in the Houston
Symphony. More leaking air.

Also, somebody mentioned that Monk doesn't "swing" as hard as Parker or
Coltrane. I disagree; I feel that Monk swings harder than most. Also,
Coltrane said in interviews many times that he owed a lot to Monk in
his development.

Let the flames begin,
Syd Polk
jazzman@-----.com

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org