pete fountain is the reason i started to learn playing the clarinet along with monty snow.been playin 3 years now im getting better but cant see me reaching this standard.
Top musicians! Pete has always been a favorite, the rest of the band is superb! Thanks for letting those out in cyber land enjoy this extraordinary music,,Love it!!
Thanks man, I was really nervous to get on stage with Pete. He's a monster clarinet player. I actually met Pete the first time in 1963. After I sat in with him on this occasion, I sat in with him 3 more times. Jim V
While I no longer play clarinet. I did play for about 15 years from age 7-22 I now play piano. But I just recently took my 38 year old clarinet to get the corks and pads replaced. In the early 60's that horn cost about $400.00 new. Today that resin student Bundy clarinet is worth the cost of a similar wooden one costing almost $2000.00 I dont regret ever playing and hearing Petes music. Especially when he teamed up with Brenda Lee. Petes a classic!
I got to see Pete & his Band play here in Yakima, WA & later at his Club in New Orleans... Great guys... We had a blast after the show. Did a Jam Session in outside back of the theater, then that night we all went out for drinks & dinner!!! They are Cool & Crazy Cats!!! Thanks for sharing your video!!!
Thank You So Much, it was a real thrill to sit in with Pete. If you are interested in hearing more of me I just released a CD in December 2008. You can find out about it at my web site. Jim Valentine
Oh wow. Good lord I can only hope to one day be able to play like that. Pete Fountain is my idol and hero above anyone else as a clarinetist. Jim Valentine WHOA. That opening bit he did was amazing. Thanks so much for posting. :D
@JimV33 - Great to hear you play with this icon of jazz clarinet. Thanks for your posts. The comments below hint at Pete's graciousness and openness. I heard a great story about Pete from another outstanding jazz clarinetist friend of mine, Jim Gordon, that reveals Pete's down-to-earth spirit: During Pete's years in LA, I guess Jim was at a club playing (I think he said in Encino?) at a jam session. In walked Pete, and out of respect and awe, Jim started to leave the bandstand. When Pete saw it, he came running up to Jim and said something like, "Unless you stay up here and play, I'm not gonna play, either!" They had a great time playing together. God rest his soul.
He helped me with all kinds of things from mouthpieces to some fingerings. Even talked him into selling one of his backup horns to me back in the late 80s, been using that horn every since. Will never for the night we drank at a place called the Living Room on North Rampart till the sun came up. Guys that were there were Stick Felix, Peewee Spitalarie, and Pete Fountain. Great times with those guys, and Peewee told the story of Pete scaring the shit of him driving his sports car 90 mph down Rampart. Then I staggered back to my cheap hotel on Canal street. What memories I have from going down every couple of years and seeing Pete. RIP
Thanks so much for the nice comment. You mentioned Paul Edwards on drums, man that goes back to 1963 when Paul played drums most of the 60s. And Jack Sperling on 'China Boy', it don't get no better than that! I just sat in again with Pete on 5 Aug 09. Jim V
Is there a better version of Lady Be Good anywhere......in a word, NO; ...of the 94,000 views.....a lot of them are mine....I wont get tired of this video. I do not know of the players personally, but wish I did/had.
Thank you so much, you are very kind. Pete was my idol and to sit in with him was the thrill of a life time. Not playing much these days due Covid and the club we played stopped using music once a month. I'm alive and kicking here in Hampton IL.
Good for you! Anybody that listens to the old LP record of Pete called 'Pete Fountain Day' and say it is not Jazz or it isn't HOT and swings has a problem with their hearing. I guess its what you first are exposed to in Jazz that seems to what a person likes most, smooth modern jazz by a Tenor sax or the hard driving swing Jazz of Pete Fountain and Benny Goodman. Jim V
@chevydad83 Thanks Chevydad for the nice comment. It was a fantastic thrill to sit in with my idol since 1958 from seeing him on the Welk Show. I cherish the day it happened and will never forget it. I talk with Pete every few weeks to see how he is doing. He has had some health problems the last few years. I did sit in with him again two more times at Hollywood Casino in Bay Saint Louis since this first time. Jim Valentine
Man Is my head up where it shouldn't be or what? Didn't connect the Jim V33. Loved this clip. You fit with these guys hand & glove, but you don't need me to tell you that. Very cool! Thanks
Thank You for the nice comments. I just released a CD called 'A Salute To Pete' if your interested. You can listen to samples of the tracks at my web site or CD Baby. Thanks Jim V
Wow! that first guy was pretty good, but what with the old bald guy? Just kidding. Way to go Jim. I had an opportunity to meet Pete in Medford Or. I was a mess just shaking his hand. Good for you to get up there and blow. Enjoy that memory. I have enjoyed watching it!
I have a question that is open to anyone for answering. How come school jazz bands say "clarinets are not a jazz instrument or that they aren't allowed in jazz?" I don't get it. Do they not know of the history of jazz? Are they ignorant? Anyone have a solution to this commonly asked and discussed matter? Thanks.
All they need to do is to listen to this track and they might just change their mind :) - BTW this claim comes as news to me nevertheless as far as I am aware clarinet has always been a part of Jazz since as far back as early 20s, along side of e.g. banjo' in small band arrangements but it wasn't until 40s when clarinets were noticed in big bands specially in New Orleans - I believe I once read somewhere that Pete Fountain picked up his first clarinet in 40s - surely a person of his talent must have been inspired by some totally amazing people before his generation. Ask Mr Jim Valentine he will tell you.
Might be because some school jazz bands don't do much soloing and more unison stuff so the clarinets are covered up by the other instruments and never really get heard
My hero when I was 16, in 1956! I was the only kid in our high school band who had a crystal mouthpiece. Guess why? Lol
pete fountain is the reason i started to learn playing the clarinet along with monty snow.been playin 3 years now im getting better but cant see me reaching this standard.
Two of the all time greats!!
Clarinet music at it's finest!! Doesn't get any better than this!! Thanks for posting it,,,Pure enjoyment!!
Hi
I have had a lot of fun and enjoyment over the years playing. Music makes the world go round. Keep practicing.
Your Friend
Jim Valentine
Top musicians! Pete has always been a favorite, the rest of the band is superb! Thanks for letting those out in cyber land enjoy this extraordinary music,,Love it!!
love how long they chat and let the piano fill the time beautifully
Thanks man, I was really nervous to get on stage with Pete. He's a monster clarinet player. I actually met Pete the first time in 1963. After I sat in with him on this occasion, I sat in with him 3 more times.
Jim V
You didn't play nervous!
@@jfuzz9083 Thanks much. It was always a thrill playing with him and his band.
You did a damn fine job!! And I like the way PF stepped back and let you shine. That’s just the way he was… not one to steal another’s thunder.
You did a great job Jim!
Such woody, warm tone. Well played.
Thank you very much.
Thanks man
It was a great thrill to sit in with my idol.
Jim
While I no longer play clarinet. I did play for about 15 years from age 7-22 I now play piano. But I just recently took my 38 year old clarinet to get the corks and pads replaced. In the early 60's that horn cost about $400.00 new. Today that resin student Bundy clarinet is worth the cost of a similar wooden one costing almost $2000.00 I dont regret ever playing and hearing Petes music. Especially when he teamed up with Brenda Lee. Petes a classic!
I got to see Pete & his Band play here in Yakima, WA & later at his Club in New Orleans... Great guys... We had a blast after the show. Did a Jam Session in outside back of the theater, then that night we all went out for drinks & dinner!!!
They are Cool & Crazy Cats!!!
Thanks for sharing your video!!!
Jim y Pete son dos magníficos clarinetistas de Jazz. Me gustan sus ejecuciones.
Thank You So Much, it was a real thrill to sit in with Pete. If you are interested in hearing more of me I just released a CD in December 2008. You can find out about it at my web site.
Jim Valentine
That is still some fine music!
🤍WOW..BEAUTIFUL
Oh wow. Good lord I can only hope to one day be able to play like that. Pete Fountain is my idol and hero above anyone else as a clarinetist. Jim Valentine WHOA. That opening bit he did was amazing. Thanks so much for posting. :D
@JimV33 - Great to hear you play with this icon of jazz clarinet. Thanks for your posts. The comments below hint at Pete's graciousness and openness. I heard a great story about Pete from another outstanding jazz clarinetist friend of mine, Jim Gordon, that reveals Pete's down-to-earth spirit: During Pete's years in LA, I guess Jim was at a club playing (I think he said in Encino?) at a jam session. In walked Pete, and out of respect and awe, Jim started to leave the bandstand. When Pete saw it, he came running up to Jim and said something like, "Unless you stay up here and play, I'm not gonna play, either!" They had a great time playing together. God rest his soul.
He helped me with all kinds of things from mouthpieces to some fingerings. Even talked him into selling one of his backup horns to me back in the late 80s, been using that horn every since. Will never for the night we drank at a place called the Living Room on North Rampart till the sun came up. Guys that were there were Stick Felix, Peewee Spitalarie, and Pete Fountain. Great times with those guys, and Peewee told the story of Pete scaring the shit of him driving his sports car 90 mph down Rampart. Then I staggered back to my cheap hotel on Canal street. What memories I have from going down every couple of years and seeing Pete. RIP
+JimV33 - Sounds like great memories! --the kind of stuff jazz music is about.
+JimV33 - I also noticed you quoting Pete's "leaping triplet" lick. 😉👍. Haha! Love it!
I really enjoy seeing you guys enjoying yourselves on stage :)
Great stuff. Well done Jim.
Thanks, It was a great time in my playing career.
loved it, outstanding. Thanks for this fine music.
Thank You, it was very exciting to do.
Jim, great playing!Pete has been a mentor to me as well. I know you must have thrill to play with him.Thanks for posting this on you tube.. Ted
Lovely music!
you guys are my idol
Thanks so much for the nice comment. You mentioned Paul Edwards on drums, man that goes back to 1963 when Paul played drums most of the 60s. And Jack Sperling on 'China Boy', it don't get no better than that! I just sat in again with Pete on 5 Aug 09.
Jim V
Is there a better version of Lady Be Good anywhere......in a word, NO; ...of the 94,000 views.....a lot of them are mine....I wont get tired of this video. I do not know of the players personally, but wish I did/had.
Thank you so much, you are very kind. Pete was my idol and to sit in with him was the thrill of a life time. Not playing much these days due Covid and the club we played stopped using music once a month. I'm alive and kicking here in Hampton IL.
いいジャズですね！♡
Good for you! Anybody that listens to the old LP record of Pete called 'Pete Fountain Day' and say it is not Jazz or it isn't HOT and swings has a problem with their hearing. I guess its what you first are exposed to in Jazz that seems to what a person likes most, smooth modern jazz by a Tenor sax or the hard driving swing Jazz of Pete Fountain and Benny Goodman.
Jim V
Thats my buddy Jim!
As mentioned -school bands. One of the best jazz orchestra/band-GRP- did incorporate a bass clarinetest .
@chevydad83
Thanks Chevydad for the nice comment. It was a fantastic thrill to sit in with my idol since 1958 from seeing him on the Welk Show. I cherish the day it happened and will never forget it. I talk with Pete every few weeks to see how he is doing. He has had some health problems the last few years. I did sit in with him again two more times at Hollywood Casino in Bay Saint Louis since this first time.
Jim Valentine
YES
Man Is my head up where it shouldn't be or what? Didn't connect the Jim V33. Loved this clip. You fit with these guys hand & glove, but you don't need me to tell you that. Very cool!
Thanks
@manosteel1984
Thanks my good friend and hotest clarinet around today!
Jim
@sattakhim
Thanks Much! I was really nervous the day this happened.
Jim V
Too much, better than great. Talk about swing, that is music.
Oh, the work these men did. Unbelieveable. Decades of practice and embracing their talent. The rythym section including piano, though...wow.
Yup.
@blitzgun1 Good for you man.. Any instrument can play Jazz as long as the person ha soul.. I am also a clarinet and Jazz is my favourite
Thank You for the nice comments. I just released a CD called 'A Salute To Pete' if your interested. You can listen to samples of the tracks at my web site or CD Baby.
Thanks
Jim V
Wow! that first guy was pretty good, but what with the old bald guy? Just kidding. Way to go Jim. I had an opportunity to meet Pete in Medford Or. I was a mess just shaking his hand. Good for you to get up there and blow. Enjoy that memory. I have enjoyed watching it!
I have a question that is open to anyone for answering. How come school jazz bands say "clarinets are not a jazz instrument or that they aren't allowed in jazz?" I don't get it. Do they not know of the history of jazz? Are they ignorant? Anyone have a solution to this commonly asked and discussed matter? Thanks.
All they need to do is to listen to this track and they might just change their mind :) - BTW this claim comes as news to me nevertheless as far as I am aware clarinet has always been a part of Jazz since as far back as early 20s, along side of e.g. banjo' in small band arrangements but it wasn't until 40s when clarinets were noticed in big bands specially in New Orleans - I believe I once read somewhere that Pete Fountain picked up his first clarinet in 40s - surely a person of his talent must have been inspired by some totally amazing people before his generation. Ask Mr Jim Valentine he will tell you.
Might be because some school jazz bands don't do much soloing and more unison stuff so the clarinets are covered up by the other instruments and never really get heard
Dig it man. You cats were all sending solid and shit.
Tunescribers has created sheet music for this, you can find it here: www.tunescribers.com/2408/more-work-samples/lady-be-good-
One word, "TERRIFIC!" 🎼
There are many great clarinetists but Pete Fountain also had a great personality and stage presence which this guy is lacking