Klarinet Archive - Posting 000557.txt from 1999/01

From: "Steven J Goldman, MD" <gpsc@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Combs, jazz et al
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 19:23:00 -0500

Hello all. I've been away from the list for a bit.

Coming from Chicago, I'm a bit surprised that more people don't know about
Combs jazz ability. It's a well known fact (I think) around here, and every
so often we get treated to gigs by his group.

In my opinion, it's much easier for a jazz player with good technique to
play straight than the other way around. Straight players spend their lives
perfecting technique while slavishly sticking to the written page with
slight nuances which constitute interpretation (not so for pre-19th C. works
but that's another story). It is intimidating and difficult for many of them
to improvise at all, let alone well. While some jazz players are
intimidated by having to interpret other peoples notes (Goodman always felt
a tremendous responsibility when doing classical works, and I feel that it
was detrimental his interpretations), those who have a "feel" for the music
(and proper classical technique) should have no problems with the notes.

Having said that, the best straight players can usualy hold their own with
jazz musicians.

Steve Goldman
Glenview IL

sjgoldman@-----.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Wolman [mailto:Ken.Wolman@-----.com]
Subject: [kl] Combs, et al, as jazz players?

consult@-----.com wrote:

> > He played a bit of jazz during last tear's ClarinetFest. He has the
feel.
>
> How about that. I had no idea, although I guess it shouldn't come as such
> a surprise. As Principal in Chicago, though, does he ever get to play sax
> during Ravel or Mussorgsky or any of the other classical opportunities?
>
> Neil

I'd heard around New York that Combs had a "hidden life" as a jazz
player; and the reports here were that he could hold his own with
Daniels during that "Trio de LeBlanc" thing last summer.

Do any of the other major orchestra clarinetists have a jazz facility?
The NY Philharmonic has a relatively recent recording (at least since
Mazur took over) on Teldec of various Ravel and Debussy pieces, one of
which is the Bolero. Assuming Drucker is playing the clarinet solos,
something in the tone and the almost "dancey" feel of his work suggests
that the man knows more about jazz playing than he's had the opportunity
to show.

If Eddie Daniels can play chamber music, why can't Stanley Drucker play
jazz?

Ken
--
Ken Wolman dbtrader Deutsche Bank, N.A.
1251 Sixth Avenue New York, NY 10019 212-469-6494

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