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20 Most Famous Clarinet Players You Should Know About

The clarinet is one of the most versatile musical instruments; whether you prefer jazz, classical, world fusion, or contemporary genres. In the world of music, it has found its voice through the hands and hearts of some truly remarkable individuals.

From the timeless elegance of Benny Goodman’s swing to the virtuosic brilliance of Martin Fröst, and the versatile artistry of Sabine Meyer to the innovative interpretations of Charles Neidich, each clarinet player has left an indelible mark on the world of classical and jazz music.

In the symphony of life, these clarinet players have indeed played their part, leaving behind a harmonious legacy that will resonate for generations to come. While a list of the best could be quite long, this article zeroes in on some of the most undeniably famous clarinetists. Take a look!

Jazz Clarinetists

1. Eddie Daniels

Eddie Daniels is an American jazz clarinetist who has been praised for his virtuosity, elegance, and soulful sound. He has been a major force in the revival of the clarinet in jazz, and his playing has inspired a new generation of clarinetists.

Daniels was born in New York City in 1941. He began playing the clarinet at the age of 13 and studied with Daniel Bonade. He made his professional debut at the age of 15 and quickly became one of the most sought-after clarinetists in New York.

In 1966, Daniels joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, where he played tenor saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He remained with the orchestra for six years, and during that time he recorded several albums with the group.

In the 1970s, Daniels began to focus on solo work. He released his first solo album, “The Eddie Daniels Clarinet,” in 1972. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Daniels as a leading jazz clarinetist.

Daniels has continued to release solo albums throughout his career. He has also toured extensively and has appeared with many of the leading jazz musicians of his time. He has also composed several pieces of music for clarinet, including the concerto “Night Song.”

In addition to his work as a jazz musician, Daniels has also performed classical music on the clarinet. He has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has also recorded several albums of classical music.

2. Anat Cohen

Anat Cohen is a New York City-based jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader from Tel Aviv, Israel. She is known for her virtuosic playing, her eclectic musical style, and her infectious enthusiasm.

Cohen was born into a musical family. Her father was a clarinetist, and her brothers are also musicians. She began playing the clarinet at an early age and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument.

In 1999, Cohen moved to New York City to study at the Berklee College of Music. After graduating, she began to perform with some of the leading jazz musicians in the world, including Paquito D’Rivera, John Zorn, and Wynton Marsalis.

Cohen has released 12 albums as a leader and has appeared on dozens of albums by other artists. She has won numerous awards, including the DownBeat Critics’ Poll Rising Star Award (soprano saxophone, 2012) and the Jazz Journalists Association Clarinetist of the Year Award (2007-2021).

3. Paquito D’Riviera

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In the realm of Latin jazz, few musicians have made as significant an impact as Paquito D’Rivera. Born on June 4, 1948, in Havana, Cuba, D’Rivera’s musical journey has been one of remarkable talent, virtuosity, and a tireless commitment to blending the rich traditions of Latin music with the improvisational spirit of jazz.

D’Rivera was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1948. He began playing the clarinet at the age of 8 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied at the National School of Arts in Havana, and at the age of 14, he joined the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.

In 1970, D’Rivera defected from Cuba and moved to the United States. He quickly established himself as one of the leading jazz musicians in the world, and he has since recorded over 100 albums as a leader or as a sideman.

D’Rivera is a master of both the clarinet and the saxophone. He is equally at home playing jazz, classical, Latin, and world music. He is also a gifted composer and arranger.

He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including 10 Grammy nominations and the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of the DownBeat Hall of Fame, and he has been awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award.

4. Buddy De Franco

Buddy DeFranco, born Boniface Ferdinand Leonardo DeFranco on February 17, 1923, in Camden, New Jersey, was a pioneering clarinetist and a pivotal figure in the world of jazz.

He was known for his virtuosic technique, his swinging style, and his innovative approach to the instrument. He was one of the most important clarinetists of the swing era, and he helped to revive interest in the instrument in the 1950s and 1960s.

DeFranco was born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1923. He began playing the clarinet at the age of 9 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied with the renowned clarinetist Artie Shaw, and he made his professional debut at the age of 16.

In the 1940s, DeFranco played with some of the leading swing bands of the era, including the Benny Goodman Quartet and the Charlie Ventura Orchestra. He also began to record as a leader, and his early albums helped to establish him as a rising star in the jazz world.

In the 1950s, DeFranco began to experiment with new musical styles, including bebop and cool jazz. He also began to compose and arrange music for his ensembles. His innovative playing and his eclectic musical interests helped to make him one of the most respected clarinetists of his generation.

DeFranco continued to perform and record throughout his career. He was a regular presence at jazz festivals and clubs around the world, and he released over 50 albums as a leader or as a sideman. He was also a gifted teacher, and he taught master classes and workshops around the world.

DeFranco died in 2014 at the age of 90. He was a true legend of jazz, and his playing had a profound impact on the evolution of the clarinet.

5. Sidney Bechet

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Sidney Bechet, born on May 14, 1897, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a virtuoso jazz musician whose remarkable talent and pioneering spirit left an indelible mark on the world of music.

As a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader, Bechet’s innovative approach to jazz not only helped shape the genre but also paved the way for countless musicians who followed in his footsteps.

Growing up in a city steeped in musical traditions, he was exposed to the vibrant sounds of jazz from an early age. His talents as a clarinetist and saxophonist quickly became apparent, and by his teenage years, he was performing in the lively New Orleans music scene.

He quickly became one of the most sought-after musicians in the city, and he played with some of the leading jazz bands of the era, including the Original Dixieland Jass Band and the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra.  He is widely considered as one of the best saxophone players  of his time.

In 1919, Bechet moved to Europe, where he became a major star. He toured extensively and recorded with many of the leading European jazz musicians. He also began to compose and arrange music, and his compositions became an important part of the jazz repertoire.

Bechet returned to the United States in the early 1940s. He continued to play and record, and he became a major influence on a new generation of jazz musicians. He was also a pioneer in the use of the soprano saxophone, and his playing helped to establish the instrument as a solo voice in jazz. Bechet died in 1959 at the age of 61 after a successful music career.

6. Woody Herman

Woody Herman was an American jazz musician and bandleader who was known for his innovative arrangements and his ability to create a unique sound for his bands. He was one of the most successful bandleaders in the history of jazz, and his bands were known as the “Herd.”

Herman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1913. He began playing the clarinet at a young age. Growing up in a musically inclined family, he initially took up the violin before transitioning to the clarinet. His early influences included the likes of Benny Goodman, another iconic clarinetist of the swing era.

In 1936, Woody Herman formed his band, which would later become known as the Woody Herman Orchestra. Woody Herman’s band, particularly during the 1940s, was known for its pioneering approach to jazz. 

In the 1950s, Herman began to experiment with new musical styles, including cool jazz and third stream. He also began to compose and arrange music for his ensembles. His innovative playing and his eclectic musical interests helped to make him one of the most respected bandleaders of his generation.

Herman died in 1987 at the age of 73. He was a true legend of jazz, and his bands were one of the most important forces in the development of the genre.

7. Pete Fountain

Pete Fountain was a jazz clarinetist and bandleader who was known for his energetic playing and his love of New Orleans music. He was one of the most popular and respected jazz musicians in the world, and he was a major force in the revival of traditional jazz in the 1950s and 1960s.

Fountain was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1930. Growing up in the heart of jazz, he absorbed the city’s unique rhythms, melodies, and improvisational spirit. His love for the clarinet was nurtured from a young age, and he quickly displayed prodigious talent. At the age of 16, Pete Fountain was already performing professionally with prominent New Orleans bands.

One of Fountain’s most significant contributions to jazz was his ability to blend traditional New Orleans jazz with elements of mainstream and Dixieland jazz. His sound was characterized by a warm, lyrical tone that could evoke both joy and melancholy, often within the same piece.

Fountain’s career skyrocketed when he joined Lawrence Welk’s television show in the late 1950s. This exposure brought his music to a nationwide audience, and his popularity soared. He became a household name, and his recordings, such as “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “Basin Street Blues,” became classics of the genre.

Fountain died in 2016 at the age of 86. He was a true legend of jazz, and his playing and his love of New Orleans music helped to keep the tradition alive for generations to come.

8. Artie Shaw

Artie Shaw was a jazz clarinetist, bandleader, and composer who was one of the most popular and influential musicians of the swing era. He was known for his virtuosic playing, his innovative arrangements, and his charismatic stage presence.

Shaw was born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky in New York City in 1910. He began playing the saxophone at the age of 13, and at 16, he switched to the clarinet.  His musical career took off in the 1930s when he joined various bands, including Irving Aaronson’s Commanders and Johnny Cavallaro’s Orchestra, before forming his group. 

In 1938, Artie Shaw and His Orchestra released “Begin the Beguine,” a song that would catapult him to stardom and become one of the defining pieces of the swing era.

Shaw’s musical prowess extended beyond his clarinet skills. He was a brilliant composer and arranger, contributing numerous original compositions and inventive arrangements to the big band repertoire.

His compositions, such as “Concerto for Clarinet” and “Summit Ridge Drive,” demonstrated his ability to meld classical influences with the swinging rhythms of jazz.

Shaw’s career was not without challenges, and he famously retired from performing and recording in 1954, feeling a need to step away from the demands of the music business.

However, he returned briefly to the stage in the 1980s, showcasing his enduring talent and reaffirming his status as a jazz legend. Shaw died in 2004 at the age of 94.

Classical

9. Richard Stoltzman

Richard Stoltzman is an American clarinetist who is known for his virtuosic technique, his wide-ranging musical interests, and his commitment to education. He is one of the most respected clarinetists in the world, and he has been praised for his “beautiful tone,” “technical brilliance,” and “musicality.”

Stoltzman was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1942. Stoltzman’s journey into the world of music began at a young age. His father was a huge fan of big band music, and he also performed in a dance band during his leisure time. Stoltzman was thus first exposed to the clarinet by his father.

Speaking to Allan Kozzin of The New York Times, he stated, (When) I was seven years old … I found these wonderful cylindrical objects in a nice leather case. I enjoyed playing with them … and I vaguely remember dangling them from the second-story window of our house. That caused quite a stir because they turned out to be my father’s clarinets. But instead of punishing me, he decided that I had an interest in the instrument and rented an indestructible metal clarinet for me to start on.”  

One of his earliest mentors was Benny Goodman, and his influence was evident in his style. He has studied music in several schools, including the Yale School of Music, where he received his Master of Music degree. He has also studied under master clarinetist Kalmen Opperman. In addition to that, Stoltzman has recorded with the Kalmen Opperman Clarinet Choir.

 He has performed with major orchestras around the world and has been celebrated for his interpretations of classical works, particularly those of composers like Mozart, Brahms, and Copland. 

One of Stoltzman’s most notable achievements is his Grammy Award-winning recording of Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto.” His interpretation of this iconic piece is considered one of the definitive recordings of the work, showcasing his technical mastery and emotional depth.

10. Karl Leister

Karl Leister, born on April 20, 1937, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, is a world-renowned clarinetist whose exceptional talent, technical prowess, and musical sensitivity have made him one of the most celebrated figures in the world of classical music. 

He began playing the clarinet at a very young age and later studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. Leister joined the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1959, where he remained for over 30 years.

He was also a founding member of the Bläser der Berliner Philharmoniker (“Berlin Soloists”), which made several recordings – including Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115.

Leister retired from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1993, but he continued to perform and record. While his orchestral career was illustrious, Karl Leister’s solo and chamber music work is equally remarkable.

He has performed with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and chamber ensembles, including pianist Alfred Brendel and the Amadeus Quartet.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to music, Karl Leister has received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Merit of Berlin and the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany).

11. Heinrich Baermann

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Heinrich Joseph Baermann, born on February 14, 1784, in Potsdam, Germany, was a virtuoso clarinetist and composer of the Romantic era. He showed immense promise on the clarinet from a very early age. His father recognized his son’s talent and provided him with rigorous training.

One crucial aspect of Baermann’s early development as a clarinetist was his training under the renowned clarinetist and composer Joseph Beer. Under Beer’s tutelage, Baermann honed his skills and developed a deep appreciation for the expressive capabilities of the clarinet.

Heinrich Baermann’s influence on the clarinet extended beyond his virtuosic performances; he made significant contributions to the development of the instrument itself.

In collaboration with the instrument maker Johann Georg Ottensteiner, Baermann introduced key modifications that enhanced the clarinet’s range, intonation, and overall playability. This innovative system, known as the “Baermann System,” became widely adopted and significantly contributed to the modern clarinet’s design.

Today, Heinrich Baermann is celebrated as one of the most significant figures in the history of the clarinet. His technical innovations, the Baermann System, and his profound influence on the Romantic musical style continue to resonate with clarinetists and music enthusiasts alike.

12. Shirley Brill

Shirley Brill, a renowned Israeli clarinet virtuoso, has graced the international stage with her exceptional talent, captivating audiences with her expressive performances and deep musical insight.

Born on November 30, 1982, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Brill’s remarkable journey from a young prodigy to a celebrated musician is a testament to her dedication, passion, and artistry.

Brill got her musical education at the Petah Tikva Conservatory in Israel. From 2000, she furthered her studies in Germany with clarinetist Sabine Meyer, and later in the U.S. with Richard Stoltzman.

By the age of 16, she joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed with numerous international orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonie. Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and the Geneva Chamber Orchestra.

Brill’s repertoire encompasses a wide range of styles, from classical to contemporary, and her interpretations breathe new life into familiar compositions. 

Beyond her performing career, Brill is a devoted educator. She has shared her knowledge and passion for the clarinet with students at renowned institutions, including the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin.

13. Julian Bliss

Julian Bliss is a British clarinetist who is known for his virtuosic playing and his passion for music. He is one of the most exciting young clarinetists on the scene, and he is quickly gaining a reputation as a rising star. While he is celebrated for his performances of traditional classical works, he has also ventured into jazz, klezmer, and contemporary music.

Bliss was born in Harpenden, England, in 1989. He began playing the clarinet at the age of 4, and he quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied with the renowned clarinetist Sabine Meyer, and he made his professional debut at the age of 12. Bliss also designed the Bliss Clarinet for Leblanc.

He has performed with some of the leading orchestras in the world, including the London Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with many of the leading chamber ensembles, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Juilliard String Quartet.

Bliss formed a group in 2010; the Julian Bliss Septet, and they released their first album in 2012. It was a tribute to Benny Goodman. They have continued to perform in various stages including Jazz at Lincoln Center and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

14. Anthony Gigliotti

Anthony Gigliotti, born on April 1, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a distinguished American clarinetist. His exceptional talent, virtuosic skill, and profound influence on the world of classical music earned him a place among the most famous clarinetists of the 20th century.

One of the pivotal moments in Anthony Gigliotti’s career was his appointment as the principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1949. This prestigious position made him a leading figure in the world of classical music, and he held the role for an astounding 47 years until his retirement in 1996.

Throughout his career, Gigliotti collaborated with numerous renowned conductors, composers, and fellow musicians. His performances with conductors like Eugene Ormandy and recordings of classical masterpieces earned him widespread acclaim and solidified his reputation as a clarinet virtuoso.

He was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award and was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. Gigliotti died in 2001 at the age of 79. He was a true legend of the clarinet and his playing will be remembered for generations to come.

World Music & Fusion

15. Giora Fiedman

Giora Feidman is an Argentine-born Israeli clarinetist who specializes in klezmer music. He is known for his expressive and soulful playing, and he has been called “the world’s most famous klezmer clarinetist.” Klezmer, with its soulful melodies and lively rhythms, is a traditional form of Jewish folk music that captures the spirit of Jewish life and celebration.

Feidman was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936. His musical journey began in a rich and diverse cultural environment. Born to Jewish parents of Russian and Polish descent, he was exposed to the vibrant world of klezmer music from a young age. His father and grandfather played music for bar mitzvahs and weddings.

His musical career began upon joining the Teatro Colon Symphony Orchestra in Bueno Aires. Barely two years later, he moved to Israel and joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra where he stayed for over 20 years. It was until the 1970s that he began his solo career.

Feidman has performed with numerous renowned groups, including the Berliner Symphoniker and the Kronos Quartet. He also played the clarinet solos for Spielberg’s ‘Schindler’s List’ soundtrack. His hauntingly beautiful clarinet solos added a layer of emotional depth to the film and garnered widespread acclaim. It won seven Academy Awards.

As the “King of Klezmer,” Giora Feidman continues to inspire and enchant with his soulful clarinet melodies and his dedication to preserving and evolving the musical heritage of the Jewish people.

16. David Krakauer

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David Krakauer is a versatile American clarinetist who has ventured into diverse genres, from classical to klezmer, and jazz. He was born in Manhattan, New York, in 1956. His musical journey began in a family deeply rooted in the arts.

He was introduced to the clarinet at a young age by his father, who was a professional clarinetist and conductor. David’s early classical training provided him with a strong technical foundation that would serve as a springboard for his future musical explorations.

Krakauer began to focus more on klezmer after joining the Klezmatics in 1988. It then became his ‘musical home’ of which he professes that he can ‘write music within klezmer, improvise, do experimental stuff, be an interpreter and a preservationist.‘

He later formed his band in 1996, ‘Klezmer Madness’ which fuses the genre with rock undertones. They have performed in various stages including the Carnegie Hall and the Venice Biennale. He has also performed with several orchestras including the Orchestre Lamoureux and Phoenix Symphony.

Krakauer has received awards including the German Record Critics’ Award” in 2002, a Grammy nomination (2014), and a Juno nomination in 2015.

17. Don Byron

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Don Byron is a multifaceted American musician whose innovative approach to the clarinet, genre-blurring compositions, and unwavering creativity have made him a distinctive and influential figure in the world of avant-garde jazz and klezmer music.

He was born on November 8, 1958, in the Bronx, New York. Don Byron’s musical journey began with his exposure to a diverse array of musical genres at an early age. His mother was a pianist and his father played bass in calypso bands.

However, he only started playing the clarinet to improve his breathing because he had asthma. His Jewish neighbors soon made him develop an interest in Klezmer. Artie Shaw, Joe Henderson, and Tony Scott are some of his other influences in the world of music.

Byron attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he also joined the Klezmer Conservatory Band. American jazz pianist and composer, George Russell was one of his teachers. After moving to New York in the 1980s, he played with several avant-garde jazz musicians such as Craig Harris and David Murray.

For his achievements, he received several awards including the Rome Prize Fellowship in 2009 and the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2007. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005 for his clarinet solo ‘I Want to be happy’.

Contemporary

18. Martin Frost

Martin Fröst is a renowned Swedish clarinetist and conductor known for his exceptional talent and contributions to classical music. He was born on November 14, 1970, in Sundsvall, Sweden. Fröst has gained international acclaim for his virtuosic performances and interpretations of classical and contemporary clarinet repertoire.

Throughout his career, Martin Fröst has collaborated with numerous prestigious orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, among others. He has also worked closely with prominent conductors and composers, including John Adams, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Anna Clyne.

Fröst is also a chamber musician. He has performed with the Emerson String Quartet and the Kronos Quartet, and he is a founding member of the Chiaroscuro Quartet. He has also won numerous awards, including the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, one of the highest honors in classical music.

19. Charles Neidich

Charles Neidich is a world-renowned American clarinetist, composer, and conductor. He is known for his virtuosity, his wide range of musical interests, and his commitment to contemporary music. He was born in New York City in 1953.

He began playing the clarinet at the age of eight and studied with the renowned teacher Leon Russianoff. He went on to study at Yale University and the Moscow Conservatory.

Neidich has won numerous awards, including the Naumburg Competition, the Munich International Competition, and the Geneva International Competition. He has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated with many renowned chamber musicians, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Kronos Quartet.

20. Sabine Meyer

Sabine Meyer is a distinguished German clarinetist who is celebrated for her remarkable talent and contributions to the world of classical and contemporary music. She was born on March 30, 1959, in Crailsheim, Germany. Sabine Meyer is widely regarded as one of the leading clarinetists of her generation.

She made her professional debut at the age of 16 and joined the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich in 1979. In 1982, Meyer was appointed solo clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. She held this position until 1983 when she left to pursue a full-time solo career.

Meyer has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. She has also collaborated with many renowned chamber musicians, including Gidon Kremer, Leif Ove Andsnes, and Juliane Banse. She is also a passionate chamber musician and has been a member of several prominent chamber ensembles.

Meyer has won numerous awards, including the Brahms Prize, the Echo Klassik Award, and the Praetorius Musikpreis. She is a member of the Academy of Arts, Berlin, and the Royal Academy of Music, London.

These are just a few of the many famous clarinet players who have made their mark on the world of music. Whether performing solo concertos, captivating with chamber ensembles, or leading orchestras, these clarinetists have shown us that the clarinet is not merely an instrument; it is a conduit for human emotion, a vessel for storytelling, and a source of inspiration.