 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2010-06-24 21:20
I am sad to report that I just received a phone call regarding the passing of our friend, Milwaukee jazz clarinetist, Chuck Hedges. Chuck had been suffering from cancer for the past few years and was often seen wearing his chemo pump while he performed in local clubs. As soon as I learn more, I will pass it on to this BB.
Post Edited (2010-06-25 14:51)
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Author: Dan Paprocki
Date: 2010-06-25 01:31
I've known Chuck for many years. First as a repair man and then as a fantastic jazz clarinetist. I saw him perform last summer and he was as good as ever. His playing was at the same level as Buddy DeFranco. It's too bad that he was really only known in Chicago and Wisconsin. It's a real loss to the clarinet world.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-06-25 14:47
Here is his obituary from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel paper as of today....
http://www.jsonline.com/news/obituaries/97141424.html
Like Dan P, I have known Chuck for years, first as Dick R's clarinetist and then as a master repair technician for the old Casio Music Store on Oklahoma Ave in Milwaukee. Through all the years, Chuck was always a good friend and mentor. He was the jazz clarinetist that I always wanted to be--and curiously, he always told me that he wished he could play "legit". He played a Selmer BT until he met Vito Pasquale of Leblanc who gave him a (then) newly developed Concerto clarinet. Later, he converted to the Legere reed on the advice of Larry Combs--Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal clarinetist--and became an official "Legere Artist". I am proud to have been considered a friend of his--he was certainly, my friend--but Chuck had the ability to make everyone feel like his own personal friend. Everyone liked him personally, and everyone that heard him wanted to play just like him. I once heard Chuck open for the annual Bunny Berigan jazz festival in Fox Lake, WI and play so well that when the main act, Buddy DeFranco took the stage, there was nothing left to be said. Quite simply, Chuck stole the show from Buddy, who was obviously and musically intimitated on that afternoon. In all the many years and show venues I every heard Chuck play, I can honestly say there was never a bad note or lick produced by his clarinet. He was the smoothest, coolest and most confident jazz clarinetist I ever heard--not the most technical, but the most interesting. It is amazing that he never became as popular as Buddy, Woody, Artie, Pete or Benny because he was just as good, if not better, at what he played. He will be missed by those who knew him best--like me.
Post Edited (2010-06-26 00:43)
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Author: Phurster
Date: 2010-06-26 03:31
Wish I had heard more of him. The obituary has a link to his recording of 'After you're Gone', its simply fantastic.
Chris.
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Author: TJBernie
Date: 2012-10-09 15:42
I live in Toronto and I am a clarinet player and I made several trips in the past to Andy's in downtown Chicago just to hear Chuck. I have several of his CDs and one which he did with Barrett Deemes which my son had him autograph for me as 70th Birthday present. Chuck was not well known here in the Toronto area but he did get some airplay on the local jazz station FM 91 but the announcer's kept describing him as a swing clarinet player and a BG clone......Geez !...how dumb can you be !.....Like Phil Woods would have said.....Man they got perfect ears......no holes ! There are not words to describe the level of natural jazz fluidity that was his playing......he was a natural with a huge reservoir of polished musical resources to draw on......a true virtuoso....when he played....those category names like swing, bop, fusion, post bop, dixie whatever.....they all got blurred. I totally agree with those who say......how come this wonderful musician was not noticed and appreciated by more people..he is and was a National Treasure
Mississauga, ON
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-10 09:58
What wonderful playing. So relaxed, yet as slick as can be and the sweetest sound ever!
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2012-10-10 14:12
William, thank you for posting this. Hopefully this will help bring more recognition to a truly great and deeply soulful player: the recordings speak for themselves. May he rest in peace.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-10 20:08
Many thanks to this bboard for giving me the joy of accessing Chucks playing.
I would have walked miles and bought his sandwiches just to hear a few notes.
I think whether you are a classical or jazz player he gives us so much to think on and learn.
Thoughts that come to mind include how can one be so at one with their own instrument but so generous and able to share with others. I really think he epitomises everything I think is great in a clarinetistxxx
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Author: William
Date: 2012-10-10 20:26
I had the pleasure to personally know and hear Chuck over the past 40 years as a repairman, friend and musician and I can say without reservation, while Benny played the clarinet and Artie played the music, Chuck Hedges played both.
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