[Dixielandjazz] Turk and Woody

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Don,
You ask if there is any truth in the newspaper article written in 1987 
by John S. Wilson citing an anecdote implying that Turk was 
instrumental in encouraging Woody Allen to play his clarinet in public.

Columnist Phil Elwood had this to say in an article published in the 
San Francisco Chronicle on 2 August 2001:
  'In 1969, while shooting "Take the Money and Run," Allen often sat in 
with Murphy's band at Earthquake McGoon's on Clay Street; he also 
played with Murphy at a Stern Grove concert in August 1969.
   "Back then, I'd spend the day shooting the film, watch the rushes and 
then have dinner; sometimes, later, I'd go hear Turk. When I got to bed 
at the Fairmont, I'd pull the blanket way over my head, so no one could 
hear me, and practice on the clarinet," Allen recalled. "At first I was 
afraid to play with Turk, but I finally agreed. I was in over my head, 
but I learned a lot and loved the experience."

This seems to back up the story you have.
Kind regards,
Bill.