[Dixielandjazz] Re: Kenny Davern, was Funky

[Steve barbone]

john petters at johnpetters at tiscali.co.uk wrote about Davern (polite snip):
 
> Kenny is great to play with, hot, creative,
> exciting. Not convinced?  Go get the Jazz at the New School CD recorded in
> '72 when he played with Krupa, Wild Bill, Dick Wellstood & Condon. Pity he
> stopped playing the soprano sax, he was a unique voice on that as well as on
> clarinet. For anyone who is not familiar with Kenny's work listen to this
> clip recorded live with my Swing Band in 1988.
> 
> www.traditional-jazz.com/sound/livethats.mp3

When I first met Davern, both of us teenagers, he was playing an Albert
system clarinet and very much into EARLY New Orleans Jazz. I was on a Boehm
system and also very much into Early New Orleans Jazz. He changed styles and
I followed his path.

He was a phenom, even then. He can blow incredible volume without appearing
to try at all. I asked him about it and he said it came from one of his
early teachers who forced him to play long tones inside a coat closet full
of winter coats until he could "hear himself". Did it for a few months.

After he heard and became friends with Pee Wee Russell, he again changed his
style which had reflected Goodman's mastery of the instrument to that of
Russell's using the instrument as a vehicle which with to express oneself.
Subtle difference lost on many, perhaps, but the same difference in usage of
the clarinet as that between Shaw and Goodman. Goodman mastered it, Shaw
(and Russell) spoke through it.

Davern speaks through it today in an era when many others just "run the
changes".

TIP: For those who meet Davern, don't ever disparage Pee Wee Russell in
front of him. You will suffer verbal abuse. In Kenny's younger days it would
have included physical abuse. Kenny is among those, me included, who view
Pee Wee as a monster communicator via the axe as well as "Funky".

Yep, talk about dues, KD paid them in many times over.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone