Klarinet Archive - Posting 000517.txt from 1995/04

From: Piotr Michalowski <piotrm@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: From classical to jazz
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 1995 22:59:07 -0400

ALl this nice talk about Eddie Daniel made me think of all the
clarinetists that have played jazz in their own cranky way with less
technique perhaps, but often to greater emotional results. Top of the
list would be Pee Wee Russell, who to my ears was one of the great jazz
originals. The same can be said of Jimmie Giuffre, who has created a
magnificent, quiet, low register style. Another maveric was alto
saxophone player Art Pepper,
who had pretty bad clarinet chops, but had a moving style much in the
Lester Young mode. In the bop area, few can match Phil Woods on a good
day. I would urge everyone to give a listen to his Flowers for Hodges
cd, a series of duets with piano; he plays alto and soprano sax as well
as soprano and bass clarinet. Finally, all this talk about De Franco
turning over made me pull out my old copy of his strange recording with
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers; he played bass clarinet at a time
when few jazz musicians were doing outside of section work (Bill Perkins
also recorded some nice bass clarinet solos in the 50's). Enough.

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Piotr Michalowski Office phone: 313-764-0314
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