Milestones Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 An interesting instrument, especially in the the hands of Eric Dolphy. In my opinion he is the top player, Followed by David Murray. Not sure where I would to go from there. Probably John Surman. Maybe Anthonty Braxton. I have just one record where bass clarinet is featured throughout: Ballads for Bass Clarinet by David Murray. Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Sam Rivers did some interesting things with his bass clarinet before someone stole it. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Michel Pilz exclusively plays/played the instrument as both a sideman (on various Schlippenbach-related and FMP sessions) as well as several leader dates from the early 70s through the '80s. He's still somewhat active, from what I understand. Michel Portal, Louis Sclavis, Frank Wright, Willem Breuker, Giuseppi Logan, Peter Brötzmann, Mototeru Takagi, Ken McIntyre, Byard Lancaster and Marzette Watts have all played the instrument as one axe in an arsenal. Checking out these players would yield a pretty wide array of musical approaches, though mostly in the 'free music' realm. Sclavis and Portal are both very active today and have sizable discographies; I don't think PB plays it much anymore, though he has recorded on alto clarinet in recent years. Among recent practitioners I'd check out the wonderful Chicagoan Jason Stein; speaking of Chicagoans, Ken Vandermark plays it as well, though not as frequently as the straight horn. Baritone saxophonist Josh Sinton also plays the instrument occasionally (and I've heard him on alto too). He's a monster instrumentalist, regardless of what reed he's playing. Braxton favors the contrabass clarinet but I have a nagging feeling that there's something on which he plays the bass clarinet. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Beautiful instrument. Seems to be increasingly popular in the UK as an alternative voice for saxophonists. I've heard tenor player Julian Siegel make marvellous use of it in several contexts. Others will know more about these two, but I've really enjoyed recordings recently by Jason Stein and Michel Pilz. (Whoops...the last post landed before I pressed go. Take it as another recommendation). Edited March 3, 2015 by A Lark Ascending Quote
mjazzg Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) I'd like to hear Braxton on bass clarinet if anyone can tell me where Stein, Sclavis and Pilz for me too Edited March 3, 2015 by mjazzg Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 I once saw Murray and Sclavis do an all bass clarinet duo concert! Quote
mjazzg Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 I once saw Murray and Sclavis do an all bass clarinet duo concert! No, really? where was that? Quote
erwbol Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) I'd like to hear Braxton on bass clarinet if anyone can tell me where link Anthony Braxton Quartet Leo Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn, logs, siren) Anthony Braxton (alto,soprano saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, chimes) Leroy Jenkins (violin, viola, flute, organ, harmonica) Steve McCall (drums, darbouka, percussion) Studio Saravah, Paris, France, September 10, 1969 The Light On The Dalta BYG (F) 529.315 Simple Like - Composition 6G: B-X0 NO-47A - * BYG (F) 529.315; Affinity (E) AFF 15 Anthony Braxton - B-X0 NO-47A Edited March 3, 2015 by erwbol Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Bath Festival...back in the good old days of adventurous programming. Good lord...it was 14 years ago: http://sclavisfansite.jp/sclavis/galerie/bath.htm (not my pictures) Edited March 3, 2015 by A Lark Ascending Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) I'd like to hear Braxton on bass clarinet if anyone can tell me where link Anthony Braxton Quartet Leo Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn, logs, siren) Anthony Braxton (alto,soprano saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, chimes) Leroy Jenkins (violin, viola, flute, organ, harmonica) Steve McCall (drums, darbouka, percussion) Studio Saravah, Paris, France, September 10, 1969 The Light On The Dalta BYG (F) 529.315 Simple Like - Composition 6G: B-X0 NO-47A - * BYG (F) 529.315; Affinity (E) AFF 15 Anthony Braxton - B-X0 NO-47A Will have to pull that one out again; wouldn't be surprised if he was mis-credited there. BYG weren't known for very good recording data. He's credited on both "bass" and "clarinet" on Jacques Coursil's Black Suite but he plays solely contrabass clarinet on the date. Here's some fine dueling Portal/Surman bass clarinet action - this tune is on Portal's Alors!!! (Futura). Killer LP. Edited March 3, 2015 by clifford_thornton Quote
mjazzg Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Thanks erwbol. I'll dig my copy out again Quote
paul secor Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Harry Carney played bass clarinet occasionally in the Ellington band. Quote
mjazzg Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) How did I forget Gunter Hampel? Plays it in solo through to large group contexts and does so with great facility edit: to correct spelling with apologies to Mr Hampel Edited March 3, 2015 by mjazzg Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 How did I forget Gunther Hampel? Plays it in solo through to large group contexts and does so with great facility Gunter Hampel, yes indeed. Quote
uli Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 haven't listened to it for some time but jeff mentioned it recently and i have it on my to listen to list Bass Clarinet, Contra Bass Clarinet, Sopranino Clarinet – Mwata Bowden Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Gong, Natural Ewartophone – Douglas Ewart Bass Clarinet, Soprano Clarinet – Roscoe Mitchell Contra-alto Clarinet, Alto Clarinet – J.D.Parran Contrabass Clarinet, Sopranino Clarinet – Anthony Braxton Double Bass, Thunder Sheet – Malachi Favors Soprano Clarinet – Henry Threadgill Soprano Clarinet, Alto Clarinet – Edward Wilkerson Soprano Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Don Byron (tracks: 6) Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) FWIW, in listening to Actuel 15 online, I hear Braxton's contrabass clarinet, not bass clarinet. Edited March 3, 2015 by clifford_thornton Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Shabaka Hutchings here in the UK plays bass clarinet brilliantly - he's got the opening solo on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYnZLgLjS0Q Edited March 3, 2015 by Alexander Hawkins Quote
Leeway Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Some other bcl players: Don Byron, Marty Ehrlich, James Carter, Bennie Maupin. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Thanks for bringing up Douglas Ewart - I've definitely heard him playing the instrument on record, but live he's had other arrows in his quiver. Another Frenchman who excels on the bass clarinet is Denis Colin, whom I've seen and heard with François Tusques. Brilliant player. Quote
Steve Reynolds Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Marty Ehrlich plays more of the straight horn but he is something else on the bass clarinet Doesn't Rudi Mahall play only bass clarinet? Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Evan Chandlee played it with Keno Speller, Kenneth Terroade, Claude Delcloo and the Cohelmec Ensemble in the '70s. Definitely another voice worth checking out though most of his appearances are on scarce/obscure LPs. Yes on Rudi Mahall! Edited March 3, 2015 by clifford_thornton Quote
B. Clugston Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 I'd like to hear Braxton on bass clarinet if anyone can tell me where He's credited with both bass and contrabass clarinets on the Yoshi's GTM discs. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) James Allsopp - another young Brit who frequently uses the b-cl in a variety of ensembles. Edited March 3, 2015 by A Lark Ascending Quote
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