Michael White (clarinetist) Article Index for
Michael White
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Information About

Michael White (clarinetist)




  Img Michael White jazzjpg
  Img Capt Press photo courtesy Basin Street Records
  Background non_vocal_instrumentalist
  Birth Name Michael White
  Origin New Orleans, Louisiana , USA
  Instrument Clarinet
  Genre Jazz <br> Dixieland
  Occupation Clarinetist <br> Educator <br> Bandleader <br> Composer <br>Jazz historian
  Label Basin Street Records<br> Antilles Records <br> 504 Records
  Associated Acts Preservation Hall Jazz Band <br>Chester Zardis<br> Lucien Barbarin <br> Wynton Marsallis <br>Young Tuxedo Brass Band


Michael White (born 29 November , 1954 in New Orleans, Louisiana ) is a Jazz Clarinet ist, Bandleader , Composer , jazz Historian and musical educator. Scott Yanow , a jazz critic, said in a review that Michael "displays the feel and spirit of the best New Orleans clarinetists."1


CAREER


White is a classically trained musician who began his jazz musical career as a teenager playing for Doc Paulin's Brass Band in New Orleans. He was a member of an incarnation of the Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band , established by Banjoist Danny Barker . He was discovered by Kid Sheik Colar , who heard him onstage performing in Jackson Square in the French Quarter . He began working with the musician regularly following the encounter. A staunch jazz tradionalist, White can be heard on the 1989 album ''"The Majesty of the Blues"'' by Wynton Marsalis .2 Wynton also appears on White's 1990 album titled ''"Crescent City Serenade"'', along with musicians Wendell Brunious and Walter Payton.

Michael has led several bands in the New Orleans area, and has accompanied various artists on other recording projects. Since 1979 he has played in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band , founded by clarinetist John Casimir sometime in the 1940s.3 During the 1980s he also led a band called The New Orleans Hot Seven. Performing "A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton " in concert with them at the Lincoln Center in New York City in 1989 led to a favorable review by Jon Pareles in the New York Times shortly after. On May 25 , 2004 , a selection from White's album "Dancing in the Sky" ("Algiers Hoodoo Woman") was broadcast on NPR 's All Songs Considered . 45 The "Dancing in the Sky" album is mostly original compositions by White.

In 1981 , Michael founded The Original Liberty Jazz Band with the express intent of preserving the musical heritage of New Orleans. The group has performed an end-of-year concert at the Village Vanguard every year now starting in the early 1990s .6 On May 13 2006 White performed "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" at the Tulane University Commencement Ceremony . Former Presidents George Bush, Sr. and William Jefferson Clinton were in attendance at the ceremony. Mr. Clinton was moved to make a remark about the performance during his speech.7


Jazz Festivals


''Jazz festivals White has performed at:''



OTHER ENDEAVORS


Education