Author: Jneilsmith
Date: 2004-09-01 01:06
You might be interested in the fact that in approximately 1954, while I was a student at the University of Texas (Austin, Texas), I had the opportunity to hear Shaw's band at a small, nearby town dance hall.
At break time, i worked up the courage to talk to him and his lead alto player at the time, Junie Ferrell. I asked Shaw what clarinet he was playing. Since I had seen his name associated with Buffet, I assumed he was playing one. He said, "I don't know!," and handed me his clarinet. It was an old Conn...so I was skeptical and asked him about it. He said he had played numerous models from various brands, but always returned to this Conn. He said it was the instrument he used in all the well-known recordings (Begin The Beguine, Stardust, etc.) and the one he felt most comfortable about.
I didn't check the mouthpiece...he seemed oblivious to such vexacious minutiae.
Junie Ferrell was a great gentleman to this young player; he gave me two books of jazz etudes by Santy Runyon and wished me well.
Both men were friendly, helpful and seemed genuinely interested in encouraging young players in spite of their great fame and success. It was quite inspirational to me.
Jerry Neil Smith
Musician, educator, performer (clarinet and sax), composer & arranger
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
