Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I wanted the clarinet.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I started off playing the clarinet, after I was inspired by listening to my dad's Benny Goodman records.
The clarinet chose me more than I chose the clarinet.
When I got into high school, clarinet was not really in fashion. Everybody had electric bands.
Working with Benny was important for me and for black musicians in general.
Leonard Bernstein was probably the most significant formative influence on me - he was such an encompassing musician. I spent my teenage years absorbing him, and my other interests stemmed off of that. Bernstein led me to Sondheim and to Gershwin, and Sondheim led me to listening to Joni Mitchell.
I'm working really hard to get the clarinet out of that hole, that Benny Goodman thing.
The clarinet has always been my baby. I just didn't know that for a while.
Clarinet is often associated with certain genres, like swing or folk music. I combine the old and new, using the clarinet as an expressive tool and not in one genre. I'm just happy that people are drawn to what I do.
Clarinet is an incredible instrument. It's a great, expressive instrument.
My father was always playing the piano. He played all kinds of music - Gershwin, all kinds of stuff.
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