PSA Regarding Gear Reviews

Hey everyone!

One of the great things about this blog: it puts me in touch with many clarinetists around the globe. I get emails from all sorts--professionals, amateurs, beginners, advanced players. I like being in touch with all of you. Having said that, here are some things you ought to know:

1. My gear reviews are not endorsements. I currently have no endorsement deal with any clarinet maker, shop, company, or person. Other than my reeds, I do not play on any contemporary equipment: all of my clarinets are vintage, and none of the models I play are currently in production.

2. I cannot and will not advise anyone regarding internet purchases. Please do not email me to ask whether you should buy a certain instrument on eBay or otherwise. There is no way I can speculate as to whether or not an instrument plays well from an advertisement, and never having heard you play. Once again, I do not officially endorse any make of clarinet, or any brand.

3. I have never given permission for my reviews or writing on this blog to be used in advertising of any kind, and have never been asked permission (despite the many times I've seen my reviews quoted on eBay and elsewhere). Caveat emptor to anyone who buys an instrument!

I'm glad so many readers like my gear reviews, and have found them helpful. My purpose in writing them has been simply to give the perspective of a professional jazz clarinetist who (in general) prefers the sound world of clarinetists prior to the 1950s. Beyond that, the best advice I can give is this: Play what works for you!

Keep swinging!


Eric

'Goodbye Bowler Hat' (for Acker)

Here's a song I wrote as a tribute to Acker Bilk. A fan caught this performance on her iPhone one night at the Bop Stop in Cleveland, and graciously shared it with us...

Photo: Bill Laufer/Laufer Film

Jazz Clarinet Poll

What's your favorite Pete Fountain Mardi Gras Medal?

A) Blue Jacket & Bow Tie
B) Red Jacket & Pirate Hat
C) Blue Jacket with Purple Sleeves & No Hat
D) Robin Hood Green with Cape
E) Hirschfeld Caricature

(vote in the comments)

Monday Morning Blues (on a Snowy Day In Cleveland)

Hey y'all...it's a snowy day in Cleveland, so here's a little Monday Morning Blues for you...from my studio.

Announcing: 2018 Concert Series at BLU Jazz +

HAPPY NEW YEAR JAZZ CLARINET FANS! 

Mark your calendars and be sure to join us this Saturday, January 6th at 8pm as we launch our 2018 Concert Series at Akron's DownBeat rated Night Club: BLU Jazz + 

Our concert series is entitled "Jazz Clarinet Composers from Bechet to Today." 

We'll be featuring original tunes by Sidney Bechet, George Lewis, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Acker Bilk, Eric Seddon, and others--a century of Trad Jazz originals--many of which are brilliant tunes rarely heard live! This is your chance to hear living jazz history...

We lead off with Bechet this Saturday!