[Dixielandjazz] Kenny Davern - a bit of history?

[tonypringle]

Hi,

This bit of information is not really in line with the current string 
about Kenny and WBD, but may be of interest to some.

Way back in 1970s my friend Brian Williams who played clarinet up in 
Toronto came to visit with the intent of going to possibly buy another 
Albert System Clarinet. We drove to the western part of Massachusetts to 
visit Frank Laidlaw and Brian did try some Albert System Clarinets, but 
didn't find anything he liked. Frank also played clarinet and we had a 
little blow together - 2 clarinets and me on cornet. Then Frank said he 
had something he'd like us to listen to and went away and then came back 
with an LP. He put it on the turntable to play and asked us who we 
thought was in the band. To me the clarinet sounded like George Lewis 
and the Cornet or trumpet was similar to Kid Shots Madison. With a grin 
Frank informed us it was Kenny Davern on clarinet and he himself was the 
cornet player. It turned out that Frank had suffered a mouth injury and 
turned to playing clarinet. To me hearing Kenny sound like George was a 
shock.

It was no surprise to me when some years later the Black Eagles played a 
festival in Toronto and we used Brian on clarinet. For one of our sets 
we had a special guest - Kenny Davern -  and he fitted in as if he had 
played with us for ever.

Cheers, Tony Pringle