Top 10 Clarinet Players in Jazz

How about Doreen ketchens she is amazing

A great list! I always loved Pete Fountain too. Clarinet was my first instrument. My great Uncles were Edmond and Herbert Hall (You have Edmonds playing down WELL!). My grandfather Clarence also played clarinet, although was better known as a session player and recorded with Fats Domino on the 1st RnR recording to sell over a million copies in the late 1940s. He also played in Dave Bartholomew's band as they were best friends. According to the family, they weren't the best in the family on clarinet. They all claimed (arguably) my Uncle Robert was, however, he stopped playing in 1941 to raise a family. One correction: Edmond played with Louis Armstrong and the All-Stars for a total of 8 years on I believe two separate occasions. He eventually left the band, bored from playing the standards every night and briefly moved to Ghana to open a music school for kids.

I play Albert system clarinet, its perfectly in tune, it was made by E.J. Albert, Belgium.

All of the guys you mentioned are of course greats! There are so many really good Jazz clarinetist that have come and gone but, I can't understand why nobody hardly ever mentions Pete Fountain. Pete was fantastic on his horn, and had I think, the best sound of any guys or girls that have or still play the clarinet. Not trying to dispute any info, just adding my personal view. Thank You!

Sid Phillips... and Peanuts Hucho, who I saw in late 70's.... total legends. Personally, I love Goodmans tone, and Artie Shaws technique.... 'keep music Live!'... Great video btw

I'm glad you put Buster Bailey in there,he is very underated.Jimmie Noone was another great one , especially when he played the hot stuff.I thank you and Will for all of your great playing and videos.

You forgot Buddy DeFranco , John Carter, Eddy Daniels and lots of others....

There is nothing like great fast clarinet swing! I love it in New Orleans style Jazz! I sure wish someone would put together a box set of Great Fast clarinet jazz songs!! Id buy it in a heartbeat!!

Thank you for taking the time dear clarinetist to put this together. It's on my go to list

honorable mention to Don Byron who is SUPER GOOD

One thing I like about your list is there are several clarinetists on there that I didn't know about. Always great to learn about more. Others have mentioned some that would have been great to include (Eddie Daniels, Buddy DeFranco). I'd like to add Art Pepper. Though he didn't record a lot on clarinet, what he recorded was gorgeous. Paquito D'Rivera is another great one to include, along with Anat Cohen. Also, if you include New Orleans style, Doreen Ketchens is worthy of considering. Thanks for compiling this list for sure! So many greats on it.

Man this list hurts my heart, jazz clarinet is my first love. There have been so many more and the instrument doesn't get it's due in jazz circles. First, I recognize Goodman's contributions as a leader but Artie was the virtuoso player. I've got to hear #6 & #5 because Jimmy Hamilton is so underappreciated and should be more well known. Had to hurt to leave Buddy Defranco off the list! Eric Dolphy? You've got to do a modern list too: Pete Fountain, Dr. Michael White, Eddie Daniels, Ken Peplowski, Anat Cohen, Evan Christopher, Victor Goines & Ted Nash, Yourself. Etc..... Thanks for the clarinet list. 🙂

Buddy DeFranco??? He pretty much brought the clarinet into bebop. I know these lists can be difficult, but Buddy was not only a phenomenal player, he was a true innovator. Buddy D was one of the big stars of Tommy Dorsey's band along with a young Sinatra and Buddy Rich. I'm a little partial too, I admit, because I got to play with him on a concert back in 1988 at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp when I was a young man of 22 years. Partial or not, I think Buddy is top 5.

DeFranco is a definite top 10. He won the Down Beat poll 19 times.. played sweet, big band, small groups and successful in be bop. Most versatile!

Love the list. Your playing of some of the Blue Horizon notes was awesome!

Clarionet and saxophone are my favourite instruments. Of course it very much melodious in Hindustani ( indian) classical music.

Very well done!

Excellent information .

Thanks for the effort you put into this. Missing. are more modern, busking clarinet players: Doreen Ketchens Jazz Band and Craig Flory of Tuba Skinny, both from New Orleans streets.

Great video! My additions would be Tony Scott, Buddy DeFranco, Kenny Davern, Jimmy Giuffre, Rolf Kuehn, and the two Dans: Block and Levinson! And also my dearly departed friend, Perry Robinson.