Ralph Katz

 

Favorite Music Links

last updated 6/2/2009

 

Back to Clarinet page: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/Clarinet

 

This page lists groups I have heard live or in recording, and places I have heard them. This is definitely not exhaustive.

 

Ann Arbor Local Performers

Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings (1920's big band: jazz): (oops) http://www.porkjazz.com

See this fun 10-piece group at the Firefly club every Sunday 5PM-8PM. If your toe's not tapping, check your pulse.

Raisin Pickers (trio: folk, bluegrass): http://www.raisinpicker.com/loader.html

Mark & Carol Palms' group has morphed over the years into their current trio with David Mosher. They perform an eclectic mix of original and other materials.

River Raisin Ragtime Revue: http://www.ragtimeband.org

A refined, polished sound from journeyman players.

Royal Garden Trio: http://www.theroyalgardentrio.com/

Hot music with the uncommon combination of solo guitar, cello, and rhythm guitar/clarinet. These guys have too much fun ("Don't tell my wife, she thinks I am at work" - Tom Bogardus.)

Vocal Arts Ensemble (classical): http://vaeannarbor.org/

A superb acapella mixed choir conducted by Ben Cohen.

=> Waleed Howrani (classical): http://waleedhowrani.com/

Lives in Ann Arbor, born in Lebanon, this pianist, composer, and pedagogue studied with Emil Gilels in Moscow.  In 2008 I was in the band at a wedding; Mr. Howrani walked up during a break and performed Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody.  What an act to follow! 

 

Performers - ethnic

Brave Old World (quartet: Klezmer, world): http://www.braveoldworld.com/

Muszikas (quartet: Hungarian, world): http://www.muzsikas.hu

Ivo Papazov (clarinet: Balkan, world):

- http://ivo-papasov.com/

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWTNkYagHtY

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivo_Papasov

- http://www.myspace.com/ivopapasov

Holy cow, how does he play so many notes?

It doesn't matter whether you are from Bulgaria - if your aren't dancing, check your pulse.

My friend Petko approached clinical depression upon finding that he had missed a performance in Ann Arbor.

Taraf de Haïdouks (band: hungarian - world) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraful_Haiducilor

Jim Stoyanoff: (clarinet - Greek, Macodonian): http://mp3.mondomix.com/jim-stoyanoff

Chicago based, an exciting player on his Amati G Albert klarino. 

 

Performers - jazz, crossover

Eddie Daniels (clarinet: classical, jazz): http://www.eddiedanielsclarinet.com/

Bela Fleck (banjo: bluegrass, jazz): http://www.belafleck.com/

An incredible crossover performer whose extensive work, unlike many others, never insults his audience. I am suprised at how often I find him listed on albums as a side man, using his banjo as a midi trigger.

Ken Peplowski (clarinet: jazz): http://www.kenpeplowski.com/

Omigaw what a clarinetist! Check out his blog.  Heard him at the Firefly in Ann Arbor, MI and he was awesome.

Richard Stoltzman (clarinet: classical, cross-over):

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stoltzman

- http://tashi.to.tripod.com/richard-stoltzman.html

I admire this redoubtable player for the amazing risks he takes. He has recorded many major and not-so-major works. He has toured performing chamber music, solos with orchestras, and with Woodie Herman's New Thundering Herd.

Sujeito A Guincho (clarinet quartet: classical & Brazilian popular): http://www.wacinternational.com/es/

If you don't know there are clarinets in South America, then pick up one of these five classically trained performers' CD's. If your toe isn't tapping, check your pulse.  Their name is a pun. "Sujeito a guancho", literally "caught on a hook", means your car has been towed away. "Guincho" means "squeak".

 

Friends:

Tim Prosser (rock on the mando): http://www.mandolinmaniac.com

 

Performers - Z"L

German Goldenstheyn (clarinet: klezmer): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Goldenshteyn

Dave Tarras (clarinet: klezmer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Tarras

 

Favorite Venues:

The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI): http://www.theark.org/

Legendary, accessible folk venue.

The Firefly Club (Ann Arbor, MI): http://www.fireflyclub.com/home.htm

Our lone jazz club in a nice, funky old building.  My favorite weekly events are: 

-     Friday 5-8PM dixieland with Easy Street (cover)

-     Sunday 5-8PM 20's jazz with Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings (cover)

 

Back to Clarinet page: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/Clarinet