TRICENTENNIAL RAG
Dr. Michael White (Basin Street Records)
He may not be known well enough outside his hometown of New Orleans. But, to me, jazz clarinetist extraordinaire Dr. Michael White is an American treasure.
This brilliant tribute to the Crescent City’s 300th anniversary — a solid collection of joyful, original romps and sorrowful, traditional dirges — is the latest of several great albums he’s put out, all of which bring hope, harmony, and substance to your soul.
On this and each of his other discs, White’s gorgeous, pitch-perfect tone is what stands out the most. You can think of several musicians who play instruments in a distinctive way, from vibes to trumpet to trombone, piano and guitar, who are in an elite class yet still sound a little like others. White almost stands alone as one of today’s best ambassadors for jazz clarinet.
It’s almost impossible to think of another clarinetist who has the beauty of his tone.
The only non-original on this disc is the oft-covered “When the Saints Go Marching In,” though — in true White form — there’s something unique, playful, and fun about his version.
This collection of traditional-yet-innovative songs draws from the ragtime roots of jazz, when Jelly Roll Morton was king. One song, “Mandeville Stomp” has a ragtime texture with Charleston and Latin rhythms, while “I Saw Jesus Standing in the Water” has a spiritual, revival-like vibe. All throughout, there’s the rich, cultural heritage of New Orleans.
White has played before former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He is a recipient of a 2008 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, America’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. His many other accolades include being a six-time winner of OffBeat magazine’s Clarinetist of the Year award.
Tricentennial Rag is being released nationally on Friday.
Contact Tom Henry at thenry@theblade.com, 419-724-6079, or via Twitter @ecowriterohio.
First Published June 28, 2018, 10:30 a.m.
