Barney Bigard
Barney Bigard was one of the most distinctive clarinetists in jazz and a longtime asset to Duke Ellington's orchestra. Although he took clarinet lessons with Lorenzo Tio, Bigard's initial reputation was made as a tenor saxophonist; in fact, based on a few of his recordings (particularly those with Luis Russell), Bigard was number two behind Coleman Hawkins in the mid-'20s. After working with several groups in New Orleans, Bigard moved to Chicago in 1924 where he played with King Oliver during 1925-1927. He would also record with Jelly Roll Morton, Johnny Dodds, and future boss Louis Armstrong in the 1920s but, after short stints with Charles Elgar and Luis Russell, Bigard found his true home with Duke Ellington's orchestra, with whom he almost exclusively played clarinet. Between 1927-1942, he was well featured on a countless number of recordings with Ellington, who understood Bigard's musical strengths and wrote to showcase him at his best. From "Mood Indigo" (which he co-composed) to "Harlem Air Shaft," Bigard was an important fixture of the Ellington orchestra.
When he quit the band in 1942 (due to tiring of the road), Bigard played with Freddie Slack's big band, Kid Ory's New Orleans group, and appeared in the 1946 film New Orleans. Bigard then joined the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, constantly traveling the world during 1947-1955 and 1960-1961; he spent 1958-1959 with Cozy Cole's band. Bigard became largely semi-retired after 1962, but still played now and then, recording with Art Hodes, Earl Hines, and as a leader. However, Barney Bigard, whose swing style was sometimes out-of-place with Armstrong, really sounded at his best during his Duke Ellington years.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Similar artists
-
-
-
Famous Jazz Instrumentalists
Jazz - Released by NK32 Records on 5 Sep 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classy Jazz Collection: Kay Starr, Vol. 7
Jazz - Released by Nuova Canaria on 2 Jan 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The One and Only: Barney Bigard (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Kateland on 19 Feb 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
Wrap Your Troubles
Pop - Released by Pink Dot Records on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Barney Bigard Selected Hits Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 21 Mar 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Barney Bigard Selected Hits Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 21 Mar 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Top 55 Classics - The Very Best
Jazz - Released by Crazy Warthog Media on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Out Among the Stars
Jazz - Released by Nagel heyer records on 18 Jul 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best Of - Barney Bigard
Jazz - Released by Crazy Warthog Media on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Swingville Volume 32: Bbb & Co
Benny Carter, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard
Jazz - Released by SINETONE AMR on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Swingville, Vol. 32: Bbb & Co
Benny Carter, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard
Jazz - Released by Crazy Warthog Media on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Wrap Your Troubles
Jazz - Released by Crazy Warthog Media on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best In His Field
Jazz - Released by Crazy Warthog Media on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Soft and Warm
Jazz - Released by Crazy Warthog Media on 1 Jan 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo