 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: barry
Date: 1999-12-22 20:59
I'm sitting in my den listening to some solos by Omer Simeon. Wow! Anyone else have thoughts about clarinetists that blow their minds? My favorites, in no particular order, are Barney Bigard, Edmond Hall, Jimmy Hamilton, Tony Scott , Jimmy Giuffre, George Lewis, Johnny Dodds and Simeon. And that's not even mentioning the great classical players I listen to. What a fantastic instrument!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron
Date: 1999-12-23 08:39
My sentiments too, Barry.
The list could go on and on. I could never choose a 'favotite' either, much less in any particular order. Each one you mention is a fine example of good musicianship. There are many, many more out there who never became 'recognized' but are/were nevertheless excellent musicians. What makes it so facinating to me is the vast range of individual expression. There are so many inspirational clarinettists, in my opinion it's futile and self defeating for anyone to try to precisely imitate, as some do, a favorite player. What's in your heart will come through anyway, whatever style you choose.
I was fortunate, many years ago, to have spent time with George Lewis. His favorite player? Benny Goodman. He also loved classical.
Do you play?
Ron
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: barry
Date: 1999-12-23 11:53
Ron,
Oh gosh! George Lewis! If I could only take one jazz piece to a desert island, it would have to be Burgundy Street Blues -- the vocal version with Monette Moore -- which still brings tears to my eyes after hundreds of hearings. Jass at the Ohio Union, the Beverly Caverns Sessions and Jazz at Vespers are all among my favorite albums. Lewis for me has an extraordinary emotional intensity. Although his style sounds simple, it is impossible to imitate, even if one can make the right notes. I was part of the British traditional jazz scene in the late 1950s, when Lewis -- who visited Britain around that time -- was one of our heroes. To my regret, I let the clarinet lapse for 35 years while I pursued a career and brought up a family. I started again about three years ago, and was fortunate enough to jam one evening with a guy called Bob Green, who had played often with Lewis. Then about a year ago, I decided to start learning to read music and to play classical clarinet. I have a terrific teacher, a retired conservatory professor and student of Jacques Lancelot. I recently transposed Schumann's Kerner Lieder to play with a pianist friend, and they've come along nicely. The more experienced I get, the more I love Mozart, and I figure that if I can ever learn the concerto decently, I'll have something to talk about if I ever bump into him in the Elysian Fields. Learning classical clarinet has given me renewed appreciation for my jazz favorites, especially Bigard -- and. since I live in France, Hubert Rostaing. I wasn't aware that George Lewis was such an admirer of Goodman, but it figures, and I couldn't agree with him more.
Best regards.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Abbott
Date: 1999-12-23 17:31
Omer is one of my favorites. His solos on JR Morton's pieces are years ahead of their time. I think he kicks Johnny Dodd's butt. Someone created a web page about him. Check it out.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John Dean
Date: 2000-01-02 22:14
Don't forget Irving Fazola. All these guys played Albert system which is very difficult in comparison to Boehm. Upside is the lovely tone you get from those instruments!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
