I'm very grateful Bill Laufer captured this performance on film at our most recent concert at the Bop Stop in Cleveland. One of my persistent goals with this band has been to present new, fresh versions of the traditional spirituals which form the backbone of jazz history. At the Bop Stop, I spoke a bit about my theories of jazz clarinet--that the klezmer influences of the great Jewish American players like Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman melded with the African American and Creole New Orleans styles, creating a uniquely lyrical, virtuosic, and soulful legacy. A Spiritual like "Go Down Moses", poetically touching both major streams of American Jazz clarinet heritage, seemed the perfect meeting place stylistically.
I think this moment was a special one in our concert series so far. Very glad it was recorded--thanks Bill!
yours truly, clarinet
Jim Davis, cornet
Kevin Richards, guitar
Gene Epstein, bass
Bill Fuller, drums
Jim Davis, cornet
Kevin Richards, guitar
Gene Epstein, bass
Bill Fuller, drums
video by Bill Laufer
