Re: Comparing Incomparables (and some Tango)

[Ingemar Johansson <hebanon...>]

Wolf wrote:


> 'tuli was known to often play with his back to the audience, so that
other
> clarinetists could not cop his fingerings.

True, but he made records, and -- as the Klezmer Revival has proved -- it's
certainly possible to copy him by ear. As the outstanding musician he was,
Brandwein must have known this. Thus, his approach might have been more
like Miles Davis' doing the same thing -- a way to keep a distance to his
audience. 

Extremely fearing the copycats was New Orleans trumpeter/cornetist Freddy
Keppard (heir of the legendary Buddy Bolden and a contemporary of
Naftuli's) who in 1916 not only refused to record (whereby he missed the
opportunity to become the first recorded jazz-artist ever) BUT ALSO used to
play with a handkerchief over his right hand.

As to particulars about 'tuli I would like to recommend Henry Sapoznik's
liner notes to the Brandwein-CD he produced some years ago. There are some
fine photos, too.

Ingemar

PS - Regarding Tango. There's also a Finnish variation of tango, a child of
the Argentinian one of course, but in a way independent, very mellow,
blueish. It has evolved on its own since the 20's. The accordion is
important here, and in some respects this kind of tango is related to
Baltic folk-music, which in its turn certainly was influenced by Yiddish
musicians in the 19th century. Which probably proves that these musical
styles are related at heart, body and soul.

(barkings of an underdog) 


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