 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Jean
Date: 2002-05-28 02:46
A week and a half ago I had the thrill of a lifetime. I interviewed Artie Shaw. What an amazing man!!! We should all be so sharp at 92 years of age. I will pass along this bit of information from him. Play whatever instrument works for you with YOUR choice of mouthpiece, etc. and don't let anyone tell you what to use. I think he may have thrown in a cuss word or two. To set the record straight on what he played... Selmer during the Big Band years. Buffet for the small group stuff. And yep, I saw one of the clarinets. FYI...He gets a lot of requests for interviews but says yes to very few. I consider myself lucky indeed. There is an excellent (but expensive book) by Vladimir Simosko that includes a bio and discography. And of course Artie has written some books also. I would recommend "The Trouble With Cinderella."
One very lucky girl,
Jean
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-28 05:26
Fancy that!! getting inspired to study music from listening to "Dreamy Melody" - made me chuckle.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: chuck
Date: 2002-05-28 05:41
Glenn: Thank you. How do you store all these things? or even remember where they are? Chuck
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-28 05:54
Indeed - GBK's memory is a daunting, bottomless pit of useless/useful information which never cease to amaze me, too!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-28 06:02
When this article was first published in 1999, I read it, and it left a big impression on me. It was just a matter of finding it again.
Glad you enjoyed it...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-05-28 13:44
Jean--
I assume you are going to write an article based on your interview. Where may we read it?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jean
Date: 2002-05-28 14:32
Don,
I am in the final stages of my master's degree. My original intent was to focus on the years 1932-1955. Why those years you ask? My dad was a clarinetist in the Army from 1953-1955. He was born in 1932 so that became my starting date. I contacted Shaw about his time in the Navy. When you think about it...1932 to 1955 were fabulous years for clarinetists. I will present my creative project on October 18, 2002...my dad's 70th birthday. This is in lieu of a thesis. Portions of the interview will be a part of the project which is part lecture and recital. I will be playing a Shaw piece, a Goodman piece, and music that dad would have played in high school and the military.
I am getting ready to write a letter to the alumni newletter where I did my undergrad work. I can let people know how they can access that info.
My time with Artie was a trip. He is a complex and fascinating man.
Funny, sweet, ornery, and brilliant.
Jean
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Neil
Date: 2002-05-28 20:01
Jean,
Congratulations on the interview. I found out at my father's funeral that he had once played under Artie. They were both in the Navy in WWII so I think that's when it was. It makes me feel good to know that the clarinet I play was once played under his direction. Not that I got much of my father's ability, though.
Neil
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jean
Date: 2002-05-28 21:22
What a neat connection. Wouldn't it be great if you could channel Artie's ability through your clarinet.
Jean
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-05-29 13:35
Jean: I do hope that I will be able to somehow read your interview and welcome an off-website contact. I was born in 1929 and applaud your appreciation of the era and dedication to your Dad. During his heyday Artie was as well known for his admiration of women as his clarinet playing. Good luck to you
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
