We all have imitated someone or something at one point in life, unconsciously or consciously. Some uncles and aunts were sources of great respect for me growing up in small town America. One of my earliest memories of imitation was my admiration of Mickey Mantle and later of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman when I learned to play the clarinet. My father was a big fan of both clarinet players. I recall just starting to learn improvisation while in the 8th grade. I would put a record on the turntable and tried to find the key of the song. It was a great feeling. Alas high school studies put an end to my clarinet playing. It was only much later that I learned of Artie Shaw’s reason for leaving the music business. Likewise I became aware of Benny Goodman’s questionable reputation much later in life.
Pastiche*
Pastiche*
Pastiche*
We all have imitated someone or something at one point in life, unconsciously or consciously. Some uncles and aunts were sources of great respect for me growing up in small town America. One of my earliest memories of imitation was my admiration of Mickey Mantle and later of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman when I learned to play the clarinet. My father was a big fan of both clarinet players. I recall just starting to learn improvisation while in the 8th grade. I would put a record on the turntable and tried to find the key of the song. It was a great feeling. Alas high school studies put an end to my clarinet playing. It was only much later that I learned of Artie Shaw’s reason for leaving the music business. Likewise I became aware of Benny Goodman’s questionable reputation much later in life.