Klarinet Archive - Posting 000287.txt from 2001/08

From: Nancy Buckman <eefer@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Pub-fest
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 21:07:55 -0400

I have just returned from N'Awlins, Loooosiana and want to pass along a
synopsis for those who couldn't attend. What a week!!! Upon arrival, I
met up with Audrey Travis. She is a gem of a soul and I am dismal for
having to part company. She came prepared to tour the town with a detailed
list of places to go and sights and sites to see. She led me on a grand
tour of the French quarter that spanned about 8 hrs. We toured the old
U.S. Mint which housed a great jazz museum containing the original
instruments of Louis Armstroung, Dizzy Gillespie, Pete Fountain and many
others. There were many different clarinets used by various jazz greats in
addition to saxes, trumpets, string basses, trombones, one-man-band set-ups
and bios on at least 100 instrumentalists. There were also pictures and
descriptions of currently performing players, including one duo with a
super clarinetist called Doreen and her husband who plays tuba. Audrey and
I had the privledge of meeting these two on the street. They were a treat
to hear and a delight to speak to. It's hard to believe that they make
their living busking. They are super musicians. Doreen has 7 or 8 CD's in
her own name as the title with volume numbers. If you want to hear what we
were treated to, purchase one of them. These two folks are truly amazing.

The star of the festival had to be Ricardo Morales. As far as I am
concerned, his performances were flawless. Tim Laughlin was a pleasant
surprise. I have a hard time enjoying most jazz music and his opening to
this very jazzy Fest had me hooked. The warm-ups every morning with a
different master were inspiring and enlightening.

Guy Legere gave an excellent presentation on his synthetic reeds. I spent
a good hour and a half speaking to him at the welcome reception and he had
some great anecdotes concerning his reeds and their development. For those
of you who are trying to tackle a biting habit, he was quite insistent that
one can't bite and play his reeds. He promises an instant cure.

Of the Lagniappe Recitals, I most enjoyed Jan Scott, Christine MacDonnell
(who also gave an informative talk on overuse syndrome for those with
carpal tunnel and other painful career busters), our very own Jim Sclater,
John Weigand and Sujeito A Guincho, who reminded me of Fernando Silviera.

The conversation with Al Gallodoro was most consoling for those of us who
are aging. I only hope that when and if I approach the age of 80, I am
still able to kick up my heels and love life as well as he does.

Michael Webster and his trio were most enjoyable. He and his wife, Leone
Buyse and her golden flute, along with Robert Moeling at the piano were
super with their tempo-de-tearass playing was wonderful.

Greg Smith is always a safe bet and he didn't let the audience down. He
was also the consumate vendor of mouthpieces and good advice on any aspect
of clarineting one cared to inquire about. His wife was just as endearing.

I was too tired to attend the Moonlight Jazz Cruise on the steamboat
Natchez , but was assured a good time was had by all.

The qualifiers for the Young Artist Competition and the Orchestra Audition
amazingly well prepared.

Eddie Daniels' master class was informative. He inspired all to
participate in the master classes and not worry so much about playing
ability and self-esteem.

Larry Combs' playing speaks for itself. Even his warm-up on Saturday
morning was insightful. His evening concert with Karl Leister was great.

I was most impressed with Mark Nuccio and his e-flat clarinet
discussion. His recital later that morning just reinforced his earlier
display. In my eyes, his performance on the little critter
was superb. Combined with the Chicago Clarinet trio garnered him top
drawer status.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, Annie Lenoir made the texture of the
festival fabric complete. Her exploits were peppered throughout all the
busy-ness.she was sort-of-like the diamond in the rough. She added just
the right sparkle
Sunday's Ensemble Extravaganza was the pinnacle of one fantastic week. I
have arrived home well sated with .
clarineting.

Well, this is my summary of the happenings of the festival. I could go on
and on, but this is already too long. To all the list members I met, thank
you for making my festival week a wonderful memory for all time. To all of
you who, for what ever reason, didn't make the trip, maybe this will
deliver a piece of the festival pie. It was dee-licios!

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman
eefer@-----.net

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