[78-L] Benny & Artie

[David Weiner]

Re the above, Benny Goodman was the better clarinetist technically, but
Artie Shaw was far better at improvisation, with a better tone as well.
PeeWee Russell's clarinet literally squeaked most of the time, but what came
out was amazing!  In other words, technique ain't everything.

Howard
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"Artie Shaw was far better at improvisation" - huh? I don't think so - Benny
could reel off endless choruses of superb improvisation, but Shaw always
seemed to have his jazz solos worked out in advance.  I'd be hard pressed to
come up with a lengthy jazz improvisation by him.  His live 7-minute airshot
of "The Chant," for example, finds Shaw falling back on familiar patterns
and klezmer melodies when faced with a multi-chorus solo. 

Dave W.