 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ALOMARvelous12
Date: 2003-02-17 01:45
I went to the Met Museum or Art today and saw, studied, and admired Benny Goodman's clarinet. It was a Buffet Crampon he purchased in 1964 (or was it 1967? forgot). Anybody know anything about this?
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-02-17 02:08
No, but I would speculate that it wasn't one of his jazz ones . . . I believe he was playing a Selmer Series 9 for his jazz gigs at the time. Still, getting to see one of BG's clarinets must have been pretty neat! :-D
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2003-02-17 04:09
Wow I am thrilled to read this. My clarinet is a Buffet Crampon and I purchased it in 1969, I'm still using it.
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Author: ALOMARvelous12
Date: 2003-02-17 12:56
Oh, according to the informational fact sheet next to the display, it says that the instrument was first purchased by Benny in the 60's and was used in numerous recordings up until his death in 86. So I believe that this instrument was used more than "briefly", as stated in a couple of those threads.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-17 14:52
Hi ALOMARvelous12:
I was at Murray Snyder's repair shop at Carl Fisher, in downtown NYC, in the mid-1960's. Murray was working on Benny's Buffet, perhaps the one you saw at the Met. He put it down to work on my horn, so I picked up Benny's Buffet, asked Murray if I could give it a toot, and did! Pretty good clarinet!
A short time later Benny walked into the shop, and Murray introduced us (no need to, as Benny was larger than life, and I was thrilled to meet him). Murray said, "The kid likes your horn, Benny. Want to sell it?" (just a joke) Benny said, "Lets hear him play it." I played a few licks, a little nervously. Benny said, "Great reed, kid. Want to sell it?" I said, "No, but you can have it!". He took it, slapped it on his mouthpiece, played the new Buffet, and walked out! So, I played his Buffet, and he got my reed. I think I got the better deal!
JJM
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-17 15:14
John J. Moses wrote: "...He took it, slapped it on his mouthpiece, played the new Buffet, and walked out!..."
Having read in various books about Benny's reputataion for being,(how should I put this kindly?) a little "frugal with the dollar", it doesn't surprise me that he took the reed.
Great story!! Thanks!! ...GBK
(btw...Do you know the story about Benny and Zoot Sim's apple? If not, I'll repost it)
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-17 16:03
JM--thanks--that was a great story (but was it the reed or the player(s)??)
GBK--I think I remmeber hearing that one, but how about a reposting anyhow--secondtimearound laughs are always good.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-17 16:12
William...Here is the Benny/Zoot/apple story:
Of all the BG stories,(and there are so many to choose from) my favorite is the one told by Zoot Sims when he joined Goodman's band at the age of 19:
"We used to have a lunch break, and I brought this big, beautiful apple and put it on my stand. Benny had a habit of grabbing your cigarettes or anything else, and I saw him looking at that apple. I said, "Oh, oh. There goes my apple." I had a solo coming up. So Benny grabbed my apple. I stood up and took my solo, and it's the longest solo I ever had with Benny Goodman in my life. He kept signaling "one more" until he finished the whole apple. Then he said, "That's enough." ...... from "Jazz Anecdotes" (Crow) 1990 Oxford University Press ...GBK
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-17 16:52
Hi GBK:
Now that you've reminded me of Benny's frugal reputation, I believe he said, ""Great reed, kid. Can I have it?" My reply was, "Sure, you can have it." I was a great moment. Also, I don't remember Benny paying Murray for his repair work on the new Buffet!!
JJM
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Author: GL
Date: 2003-02-17 16:52
Or.......the one about Benny was having a rehersal at his place, the guys in the band said,"Benny,it's freezing in here",Benny leaves the room only to return wearing a sweater.....
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-17 17:11
Or...The time Benny needed a number of Xerox copies of an important itinery. He went to the Yellow pages and made a phone call. The next day, with the help of police, traffic in front of his building was blocked off by a large delivery van, as 3 different Xerox machines were painstakingly brought up to his apartment.
After "testing" each of the 3 machines with the itinery he needed to copy, he told the salesman he would "think it over". He then promptly left the room, and told Loren Schoenberg to get rid of the salesman and the machines...GBK
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-17 18:54
Given enough time, most clarinetists will ask this question. I guess we think the equipment made the difference. I've done a bit of research on Mr. Goodman and have come to the conclusion it was his dedication to his instrument rather than his equipment. In the biography <i>Swing, Swing, Swing</i>, he had an old piece of junk to start out with that was a loaner and he got quite a great sound from it. He was driven to practice and had a true passion for playing the clarinet.
Photos in the book show his Selmer Centered Tone, although he did use the Buffet at Carnegie Hall and during his "classical" period.
I've tried Selmers and Buffets and I still don't play like Benny.
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Author: John Gibson
Date: 2003-02-17 21:28
Funny...
I can play just like Benny.....even as good as Artie.....all it takes is for the family to go away for a couple hours....leaving me alone with the horn and a couple beers. Amazing how good I sound....Despite the intonation....lack of embouchure....and forgetting to put the bell on.....
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