Dr. Michael White

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Review:

This is the fifty fifth in a series of special Jazz on the Tube reviews of live stream performances.

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Throughout his career, clarinetist Dr. Michael White has been one of the leaders of traditional New Orleans jazz.

He performed early on with Doc Paulin’s Brass Band, Danny Barker’s Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band, and Kid Sheik Colar.

White has worked and recorded with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on several occasions through the years, played with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band, and in 1981 founded the Original Liberty Jazz Band, his regularly working group.

An important educator and expert on New Orleans jazz, Michael White (who has developed his own sound on clarinet out of the New Orleans tradition) has led at least 15 albums of his own.

On June 14, 2020 he performed with the current version of the Original Liberty Jazz Band, a septet that includes trumpeter Wendell Brunious, trombonist David Harris, and pianist Steve Pistorius.

The band performs a memorable set that includes “Shake It And Break It” (also known as “Weary Blues”), the beautiful “The Purple Rose Of Cairo,” “Panama,” White’s feature on “Summertime”(inspired by Sidney Bechet’s version), a few likable originals and “Bye and Bye.”

The relaxed yet exciting ensembles and the consistently colorful solos make this a fun hour of New Orleans jazz.

-Scott Yanow