Basin Street Blues: A Clarinet Solo by Pete Fountain

“Basin Street Blues” is a classic New Orleans jazz tune written by Spencer Williams in 1928. Pete Fountain’s clarinet solo on the recording is one of the most memorable and recognizable solos in all of jazz.

Introduction

Pete Fountain, one of the most well-known clarinetists of his time, grew up on Basin Street in New Orleans. He learned how to play the clarinet from his father and went on to play with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Benny Goodman and Lawrence Welk. He also had his own TV show and recorded many records. “Basin Street Blues” is one of his most famous solos.

History of Basin Street

Basin Street is a historic street in New Orleans, Louisiana. It runs from the French Quarter to the Carrollton neighborhood. The street was originally named “Rue de la Place” (Street of the Square) but was later renamed for the city’s main drainage canal, which ran along Basin Street.

The street became known for its many bars and nightclubs, which featured blues and jazz music. One of the most famous clubs was Pete Fountain’s Club Tangerine, which was located on Basin Street. Pete Fountain was a famous clarinet player who made many recordings of his music.

Pete Fountain’s Basin Street Blues

Basin Street Blues, composed by Spencer Williams and first recorded by Louis Armstrong, is one of the most popular and enduring standards of the jazz repertoire. It has been recorded by numerous artists, including Pete Fountain, who made his own arrangement of the piece for solo clarinet.

The recording

This recording of “Basin Street Blues” features Pete Fountain on clarinet with Ed Shaughnessy on drums, Archie McMahon on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Matty Matlock on trumpet. Recorded in New York City on February 8, 1957, it was originally released as a single (Decca 30473) and became one of Fountain’s most popular recordings.

The solo

The solo is the most iconic part of “Basin Street Blues,” and it’s also one of the most memorable solos in all of jazz. Pete Fountain’s clarinet playing is full of character and personality, and it’s impossible to forget once you’ve heard it. The solo is also a great example of how to use space in a solo, as Fountain often takes pauses between phrases to let the band come in and add texture to the sound.

Analysis

“Basin Street Blues” is a song written by Spencer Williams in 1928. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five in 1929, and has become a standard since.

Pete Fountain’s solo on the song is considered one of the finest examples of clarinet playing in popular music. In this analysis, we will take a look at what makes Fountain’s solo so great, and how you can apply some of his techniques to your own playing.

Fountain’s solo is based on the melody of the original song, but he takes it to new heights with his inventive phrasing and use of space. He also employs a number of stockClarke-ian licks that have become part of the standard vocabulary of jazz clarinetists. Let’s take a closer look at how he does this.

Conclusion

This was a great solo by Pete Fountain. I enjoyed the way he played the clarinet and the overall tone of the piece. I would definitely recommend this solo to anyone who is looking for a great clarinet solo to listen to.