 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: runner
Date: 2010-08-02 18:12
I was watching a Woody Allen movie and I remember he plays clarinet. I believe he skipped an awards show in which he was nominated in order to play clarinet in a group in Greenwich Village.
Qustion: Anyone hear him play in concert? What was his training like?
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2010-08-02 20:49
I would guess he is mostly self taught by listening to traditional New Orleans jazz. He really enjoys playing.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2010-08-02 21:09
Let's just say that I think he shouldn't quit film making for a career in New Orleans Jazz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D59x6WeZ9t4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPl7ARZ3JE4
There is a movie called Wild Man Blues about him and his clarinet.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-08-02 21:47
To paraphrase an old joke, if he put his clarinet case on the dash of his car, he could park in Disabled Parking spots. ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2010-08-02 23:42
He did his own music for SLEEPER. He plays an Albert system.
My bet is that he is a better comedian, better movie director, and better clarinet player (for Bechet inspired New Orleans jazz) than most of us that read the Clarinet Bulletin Board.
But most of us have not run off and married our step daughter.
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2010-08-03 00:41
Wouldn't it be great to be rich and famous enough to be able to hire good musicians to play with you!
Contrary to the fashionable opinion that Woody is a lousy player, my opinion is that he plays just fine. But he's certainly not great, and certainly wouldn't draw the sidemen he does because of his playing alone.
"Wildman Blues" is kinda interesting. Not sure if he produced it or one of his fans did, but it's a sorry attempt at trying to create a clarinet legend.
B.
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Author: ned
Date: 2010-08-03 03:29
''Wouldn't it be great to be rich and famous enough to be able to hire good musicians to play with you!''
That's close to the truth, I'd wager. Nonetheless, his playing has a certain rustic charm and much enthusiasm.
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It's a relief to see just the one disparaging comment this time around too................
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2010-08-03 05:45
Ned, "rustic charm" and "enthusiasm" are what I don't hear in his playing. I hear his beloved Manhattan more than the old New Orleans.
I think he emulates George Lewis, Willie Humphrey, and that group of "originals," but can't get past...something or other. Maybe it's "emulating" that he can't get past.
He's no wild man. But he does play!
B.
P.S. In "Wildman Blues," he went to Buffet in Paris and tried to buy one of the metal clarinets in their museum. The look on the curator's face was priceless!
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Author: Leo Sesemann
Date: 2010-08-03 07:42
As far as I know he plays for a long time with the same guys, maybe 30 years. They are no sidemen, they are friends and he knows that the are better musicians than him. But, it's a win-win situation...
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Author: BobD
Date: 2010-08-03 15:00
Anyone who takes the time to learn about him will find out that he is serious about his clarinet playing. He plays what he wants to and how he wants to. That his likes and style doesn't conform to the classical style of clarinet playing doesn't detract from his commitment. If you don't like his clarinet playing that's your privilege.
Catty comments on his personal life are sophomoric.
Bob Draznik
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Author: senior
Date: 2010-08-03 19:45
I won't say anything about his talent as a player because he is better than me. BUT I really do not like his tone. To squeaky and sounds forced. Oh well, just a personal opinion.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2010-08-03 21:19
Agreed Merwin....comments herein are all opinions. I think his tone has its place in authentic New Orleans jazz but it probably wouldn't go over very good in a baroque Italian string ensemble. It's his dedication to preserving the true New Orleans jazz sound that I appreciate.....it's not sophisticated.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2010-08-04 05:41
Ha ha! If you don't like Woody Allen's tone, you probably won't like the tone that we Greek folk musicians get on our Albert system "klarina!"
It's all in what you're raised with...
:-)
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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Author: ned
Date: 2010-08-04 13:02
''Ha ha! If you don't like Woody Allen's tone, you probably won't like the tone that we Greek folk musicians get on our Albert system "klarina!"
It's all in what you're raised with...''
I'll drink an ouzo to THAT............................and.............this should be the end to all of these dreary discussions regarding any individual's tone!
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