 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JimV
Date: 2006-12-13 20:33
Did you hear that Kenny Davern died last night? Apparent heart attack. The Jazz World loses another great player.
Jim
More info:
Re: First news of death of clarinetist Kenny Davern
Kenny Davern was born in Huntington, NY 1935. Considered one of the most lyrical players especially traditional style jazz.
He admired clarinetist Pee Wee Russell and later became friends and co-performer with him. He was on the soundtrack of the movie “The Gig” which featured cornetist Warren Vache’ Jr. He was long associated with soprano saxophonist Bob Wilber and They performed as “Soprano Summit.” Davern later gave up playing soprano sax and would get together with Wilber at jazz parties and they’d perform as “Soprano Summit Reunion” with Davern playing clarinet.
He performed with the WGJB ( World’s Greatest Jazz Band) in the late 70s.
He moved from the East Coast to Albuquerque about 8 years ago.
He performed for the Pensacola Jazz Parties 89-91. Most recently, he recorded on the Arbors label. He also has recordings on George Buck’s various labels including Jazzology.
RICK KNITTEL wrote:
Allan Vache' told me that Kenny Davern died in his sleep of a heart
attack last night. A shock. This is really shocking news. Kenny was one of the true masters of hot jazz clarinet as well as being a wonderful soprano saxophonist. Anyone who doubts that should listen to Jazz at the New School with Krupa, Wild Bill, Condon & Dick Wellstood. One of my all time favourites.
I have memories of some great sessions with him in the UK, some of which
were recorded. I did a series of trio dates with Martin Litton. Each was
gem. So we booked the Pizza Express in London's Dean St to do a
recording. Kenny was not the easiest person to record with. We did a
live recording for Essex Radio with a quintet, including vibes, a little
later, which swung like mad. We did 'That's A Plenty' and Kenny echoed
the early Goodman recording.
I also did a trio session with him and Art Hodes, which was great fun. I
had been booked to play another session the day before but the club
managed to get an American drummer and I got cancelled. Kenny took me
aside and said "Don't go with Art's time just lay it down. we had xxxxxx
on drums last night and it was all over the place". I knew what he
meant. Art would roll the blues, so the drums had to keep on top of the
beat. It was a great session.
Another occasion - Kenny would not be cloned. He always said "I'm not
Artie Shaw, I'm not George Lewis, I'm not Benny Goodman". Someone asked for Pee Wee's Blues. He asked why. They said they had heard a local clarinettist play it the week before. "That's a good reason, Kenny
replied. He played it Davern style. Then as after thought he blew a
chorus that almost out Pee Wee'd Pee Wee. You could always identify Kenny after just hearing a few notes. He had a totally individual style.
Thanks for the music, RIP Kenny
John Petters
Post Edited (2006-12-13 22:02)
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Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-12-13 20:35
My heart just sank. One of my favorite musicians. :(
Thanks for the details. What a loss to the world. I had only discovered his playing a few months ago and have been really drinking it in...
www.johnmcgann.com
Post Edited (2006-12-13 22:13)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-14 05:30
I remember one story about Kenny Davern. There is a local saxophone teacher, who started (in former USSR) as a classical clarinet player for many years, and was very good and successful in USSR. One time he went to see a concert of Kenny Davern because he liked him so much. After the concert he came to speak with him a little and Kenny Davern let him try his clarinet. He could not get a sound! The reed was so hard it was impossible for him to play! This player usually uses reeds that are on the hard side. When Kenny Davern played this ridiculously hard reed he sounded just fine!
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2006-12-14 12:41
I was lucky enough to hear Kenny and Bob Wilber when they were "The Soprano Summit" in the mid 70s....he was one of the really great jazz clarinetists.
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