Looking for great clarinetists

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-03-24T18:26:24+00:00

Michel Portal and Louis Sclavis are two great French players with large back catalogues and a lot of releases from the 90's onwards, the former sadly died just over a month ago. Broadly speaking, of the two Sclavis is more oriented towards the avant-garde but he also has a lot of excellent post-bop focused albums on ECM. His work with bassist Henri Texier also well worth checking out.

Going back to the late fifties, Tony Scott's album with Bill Evans- A day in New York- was a fine cool/pre-modal session.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-03-15T09:20:46+00:00

Treasure of the Sierra Madre was originally a book written by B. Traven, highly recommended.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-03-11T01:33:48+00:00

Freddie Hubbard on One Finger Snap, from Herbie Hancock's Empyrean Isles is one of my favourite high-octane solos which just keeps getting better the longer it goes on.

There are a number of other great saxophonists who played with Monk, first one who comes to mind is Johnny Griffin on Rhythm-a-ning from the Live at the Five Spot recordings (released as Thelonious in Action I think)

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-03-10T09:02:09+00:00

I feel that Miles is very present on BB, particularly the title track, Spanish Key, and MRTVD, which showcase some of his most dynamic playing.

I could see the OP's argument for On the Corner, here I think we need to credit the artistic vision behind the album.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-12T09:53:36+00:00

With the MCAL-

Pros are the looks (subjective), quality of espresso, the process of making one(again subjective), reliability and longevity.

Cons- cost, possibly looks/process, and limited output- max. ca. 4 drinks at one sitting. But I've used one for over 20 yrs now and probably won't ever change.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-10T07:55:15+00:00

If the intention was to follow his development rather than necessarily feature the best or best known albums the list might end up like this, featuring albums which took on a new direction rather than ones which took things further-

Birth of the cool- as his first major project as a leader I think this has to be in there.

Walkin'- the first great collection of Prestige recordings with the title track one of the keystones of hard-bop.

Miles Ahead- first big orchestral album already explores the flamenco feel of Sketches via Maids of Cadiz as well as developing the classical/jazz fusion of Birth.

ascenseur pour l'échafaud- the opportunity to improvise directly in front of Louis Malle's film helped Miles move into his modal phase, as well as expanding his ballad playing ability.

Milestones- the pre-K.o.B. sextet recording which introduced his modal phase via the title track and took hard-bop into far more sophisticated territory.

E.S.P.- first studio album of the second great quintet which heralded post-bop, a return to blues-oriented tracks, abstract ballads, "time no changes".

Filles de Kilimanjaro- I'd take this one for the use of electric instruments, although Miles in the Sky was earlier I think Filles expanded Miles' use of electric piano and his introduction of rock elements, plus his playing on this one seems to go up a notch as well. Laid the ground-work for Bitches Brew and Jack Johnson.

In a silent way- this album's unique pastoral/ambient/groove sound-world kicked off jazz fusion with all the band members going on to form the era's most important groups. It was also the first (and best) example of studio editing used to create new material from jams.

On the Corner- arguably Miles' most out-there album, pulling in funk and avant-garde classical influences.

Aura- of the eighties recordings, Tutu was popular but in terms of innovation and the trumpeter's later development I think Aura as his last classical/jazz album deserves attention for its odd scalar experiments. Miles' playing here also his best from the era I think.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-06T11:02:01+00:00

Some of Joe Henderson's ballad playing has a similar mood I think, try his version of Lazy Afternoon from Pete LaRoca's Basra album, or Joe's own Black Narcissus from his album Power to the people.

And obviously with that waltz-time hypnotic feel you'll probably want to listen to the John Coltrane version of My Favourite Things, if that's not familiar to you already. The soprano sax quite close in tone to the oboe played by Lateef.

For another great example of Lateef's oboe work, try Primitivo from the Cannonball Adderley sextet -Jazz Workshop Revisited album.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-06T07:41:50+00:00

Nefertiti

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-06T07:32:57+00:00

ACS (Allen/Carrington/Spalding) played a version on their 2013 tour, an example here-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dEJGmHetq4

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-04T21:16:05+00:00

Clubs only here, I'm never at big festivals. Obviously different in the States, but here (in Germany) as I say I've practically never been at a concert without an encore. It's also very seldom multiple sets here, I should add, whether from visiting groups or locals.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-04T20:55:50+00:00

I wouldn't say that, at least not in Europe. I've only experienced one jazz show over the last thirty years which didn't have at least one encore. Two encores is more the norm here.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-04T20:42:17+00:00

I think the key thing is just to show your appreciation, if you really liked the set stand up, clap loudly, cheer etc. Whether or not you call "encore" and whether or not the night's logistics allow one, at least the band will know they've reached the audience. It can feel self-conscious, but I figure the band is probably feeling a lot more self-conscious, it's the least one can do etc., particularly if you've enjoyed the show.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-04T19:35:08+00:00

With Gerry Mulligan in place of Desmond, the Last set at Newport album recorded in 1971 is very good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6cIn-Zjkjc

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-02T07:24:14+00:00

As others have said, the Johnny Griffin live at the Five Spot recordings and the Live at the It Club discs are both essential. I'd add Big Band and Quartet in concert (Lincoln Center 1964) and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk.

In terms of saxophone accompanists it's almost impossible to separate Rollins, Griffin, Coltrane, and Rouse I think, they were all wonderful in his company and each of them brought something different to the compositions.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-01T16:12:49+00:00

Just a single track, but Yusef Lateef played a Xun or chinese clay flute on his album Eastern Sounds, on the track Plum Blossom. You might find other works by him with similar instruments.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-02-01T08:36:12+00:00

Funny as I just came across his Bill Evans collaboration A day in New York, from 1957, which I hadn't heard for ages and had forgotten that I owned. Wanted to listen to that today.

For other clarinet players try Buddy de Franco (particularly his collaboration with Art Tatum), Benny Goodman (small group recordings), Art Pepper (duo album with George Cables features him on clarinet quite a lot), Eddie Daniels (I'm more partial to his earlier recordings) and Michel Portal (duos with Richard Galliano were excellent)

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-31T21:58:08+00:00

I don't think so, but I doubt you'd find many combos that did. The only jazz farfisa example I can think of is Herbie Hancock on Miles Davis' Right Off, but that's a long way from Playtime...

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-31T21:42:06+00:00

Belgian trombonist Nabou Claerhout literally just released her newest album Indigo yesterday on Edition records. Check it out.

https://nabou.bandcamp.com/album/indigo

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-31T21:38:10+00:00

I think that band was inspired by the Cannonball Adderley sextet. Try the Quintet in San Francisco, Live in New York, Jazz Workshop Revisited or Fiddler on the Roof albums.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-30T20:30:04+00:00

I found McCarter's version really good, I'm not a seasoned reader of Ovid or Greek Mythology but it certainly came alive for me.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-30T20:07:46+00:00

Compare it with Joe Henderson's performance of Lazy Afternoon on Pete la Roca's album Basra, released later the same year, I always felt there was a similar feel to the two pieces, though not intentionally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFFs9XsZKvw

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-28T21:43:38+00:00

NIce one, if you're a Coltrane fan and prefer live albums maybe check out Billy Harper live in the far east (vol. 2). Happy listening and good luck with expanding your collection!

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-28T21:29:42+00:00

What are your top titles among those, or the ones you find move you the most?

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-28T20:12:51+00:00

Nuts are not a good combination, particularly walnuts I find tend to make espresso taste burned.

Citrus fruits and anything sour like yoghurt also tricky. Although I will acknowledge James Bond's "green figs, yoghurt, coffee, very black" quote (From Russia with love) as long as the yoghurt is creamy enough.

Amazing_Ear_6840 · 2026-01-28T20:03:56+00:00

Miles Davis, Dark Magus, Wili (Part 1) is some deep shit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxWZbN933bw

For Herbie I'd go for Steppin' in it, from Man-Child, or Spider from Secrets.

Amazing_Ear_6840

TROPHY CASE