Pete Fountain - Basin Street Blues

[shueevon]

Hey Jim, Do you know of any footage of Pete playing at his club at the NO Hilton? I saw him play there in 86 or 87... sat at the bar and wasn't 20 feet away from him. What a fantastic show!!

[JimV33]

@shueevon Wish I did but I don't have any. I may be able to upload some footage of when he played at Wolf Trap.

Jim

[ownyourfuture1]

His 2 bars of Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin were snuck in there.

[UnitedxFilms]

im clarinet player so my teacher told us to look him up

[gcpropertymanagement]

This our heritage, translated for everyone else. I was raised on this. Forward from here is where are going now. (This form of the music calms the soul and rewards the heart.) Bless you all for this music.

[xinx03ovcm]

That one even doesn't seem to be a simple(albert) system...I guess it's based on the ordinary Boehm system...if so, how's that possible for him to jazz up such a full and thick, fat sound without sacrificing his colorful skills?

[BiblicalReader]

Was that ... did he just play a bit of Rhapsody In Blue or is that just me hahahaha

[PhoebelovesJBieber]

Check out Irving Fazola and Sidney Bechet!

[weneedanewprobasebal]

volume is too low

[Pantouffleslippers]

He looks like he's having so much fun! :)

[Pantouffleslippers]

This makes me sad 'cuz when I see awesome amazing bands but most of the players are gettin' on in years, it means that these awesome older styles of music are leaving :( and being replaced by modern junk. (some modern music is good, but not the majority)

[jmccracken1963]

OUTSTANDING clip!!!!! Thank you VERY much for sharing this with us! (And a Happy 81st Birthday to Pete Fountain, too.....)

[shieldwolf2012]

Happy Birthday Pete Fountain July 3, 1930 (81)

[ownyourfuture1]

This is amazing. I've had the good fortune to live in LA and be able to see some of the best performers of our time, Chuck Mangione, Lionel Hampton, Linda Ronstadt, Rex Harrison and others. He's a genius on the clarinet. Another player I really like goes back a ways, Benny Goodwin. Look up "Sweet Georgia Brown".

[ownyourfuture1]

Gershwin. You sure did. It's a bar from "Rhapsody in Blue".

[randomquotage]

I'm 19, I've been playing clarinet since I was 3 when my father was listening to Pete play this song on ABC classic FM, and I said "Daddy, I want to do that." the next day he bought me a piccolo clarinet because I was too little to hold a proper one. PETE FOUNTAIN FOREVER!!!!!!!!

[DJFox211]

i was hooked on this song the first time i heard it, the way he closes his eyes and plays is awsome, and i copyed him perfectly with my clarinet, it sound horrible on the bar count 16

cuz i messed my E up and hit D

[XR4turbo]

Did I hear a bit of Gershwin in there somewhere?

[JimV33]

@XR4turbo You sure did!

[billthestinker]

so good

[13421JLUJ]

This is where it"s all about...

This is everything !

Thank you for this beautiful music : )

[mrcajunron1]

I grew up in the french quarter, used to go walking when my mother was playing the matinee at pat o'briens. Heard pete play quite often. can't wait to go see him again in Miss. when I get back from overseas

[mondoshrimpo]

thats probably one of the most beautiful renditions of this song i have ever heard...i dont even know what to say

[amd77j]

Jazz musicians make this seem so simple and effortless. And it ain't folks. We take for granted their greatness.

[middletownd9]

I wish the johhny carson collection would put some of petes apperences on from the tonite show. i have a lot of video of him from the tonite show(and in stereo hi fi vcr back then lolol) maybe i should post them the quality and audio are great.....

[sattakhim]

I just LOVE this!!!

[DennisNashville]

I'm a blues guitar player. I grew up listening to Pete. My teenage 'heavy metal' friends thought I was crazy.  But, just listen to him! There is something in what he does that just hits me deep in my soul. The tone, and control, almost brings tears to my eyes.

[kabrinkley]

Pierre Dewey La Fontaine Jr. I believe! Simply the best!

[ePhilosopher9]

The only two Petes i knew were Maravich or Fountain, and a Fountian must be established for the same. ;) 2010 what lasts?

[AzoNintendo]

This is awesome... I'm a clarinet player myself, and we're doing this very song in my school band, and I'm the clarinet soloist. This is gonna be in the back of my mind the whole time. C:

[PapushoProducciones]

2:37 2:41 Rhapsody in Blue?

[bwiggs6]

Loved it when Mr. Pete and Mr. Al Hirt played together. None better anywhere. Thanks for posting this, very nice!

[lorraineedmay]

this makes my day, thank you for the post

[headpirate4u]

I just can't get enough Pete. He is the real deal. The heart and soul of New Orleans. I have been infulenced by this music since almost birth and it just gets deep down inside of you. He improvises on this version in a way that is so incredible you wonder where in the heck it is coming from. Though I play rock I love this music. Rock on Pete!

[headpirate4u]

I grew up as a very young boy loving this music. My brother is the best clarinet player I have ever heard besides this fine gentleman. He could play right along with Pete by ear from the record. It influenced my whole life and my passion for New Orleans. I loved this music long before I got into rock and made the city my home. I love Dixieland and Pete and New Orleans. It lead to a lifetime of me playing professionally. Go Saints!

[olderbluesfan]

Nothing like it, he's just so beautiful!!!

[MissNadal22]

Perfect Strip tease song hahahha.

[daneckenrode]

i've loved pete fountain's music from the first time i heard it. it's amazing that he's still kicking out new stuff though, how long has he been the king of jazz clarinet now, like 60 years lol

[daneckenrode]

@daneckenrode although to tell the truth i kinda liked his earlier version from his do you know what it means to miss new orleans cd

[arnoldedmondson]

@daneckenrodeYES! 

[ResidualConfusion]

My sister butchered the clarinet in her bedroom for years until I hated the sound of the instrument. Then I heard Mr. Fountain and was blown away (in a good way, finally). Tender, smooth, cool and hot. This is one of my favorites of his music. Thanks for posting, Jim.

[sweetpapajazz]

Chinese nail chewer on drums !

[sitarnut]

Been listening to Pete since 1958...have most of his LPs- I was hooked from the first beautiful-toned note.. what a great swinging player- why don't we have a "National Living Treasure" award like Japan where the ARTIST is acknowledged BEFORE he leaves his body....

[JimV33]

That's when I started to listen to Pete also. With that tone and the ability to fly over the keys just blew me away, I was hooked.

Jim

[marcthesmith]

Isn't it about time Pete gets acknowledged at the Kennedy Center Honors?!

[1Barebone]

@sitarnut Not to anyone in particular. I've always loved Pete. Everyone please check out Ken Peplowski and Dick Hyman's new CD entitled E Pluribus Duo. Some of the most original clari-sax playing ever.

[GMBogart]

@sitarnut

Ditto.

[amy19355]

in my dreams i might play anywhere near this well! wowza

[clarygirrrl9]

He's just lovin' it! Playing with it, having fun. Hey, was that a riff from "Rhapsody in Blue" I heard in there? Amazing! Great to watch and listen to.

And BTW, the clarinet was playin' the blues before anyone had ever heard of a saxophone.

[lennhart]

What you heard was, indeed, Pete''s nod to Gerhswin's great Rhapsody in Blue.

[SuperCameraman]

haha that totally was!!!!

[SuperCameraman]

2:37 hahaha niiice

[lennhart]

If it gets any better than this, I 'ain't' heard it...

[theblueTACO]

MY HERO! Pete's my clarinet Superman.

[Krnmustang11]

haha I'd kill for this on sheet music

[blitzgun1]

I wish I could shake this man's hand and thank him for saving a clarinet player from quitting the blues.

He saved me from believing that only every instrument was capable of blues, except the clarinet.

[jacktorranc]

American Treasure...

[MattieSongbird]

Wow. I've only ever heard Satchmo do this. This is my first time hearing Pete Fountain...and I'm diggin' it.

[pey10ab]

damn... It's like as soon as I decide to branch out into Sax I come across this and want to scrap my Alto for that thick, woody sound. So soft and smooth, but with those harsh elements when desired... just damn...

[luvtrns4evr]

Pete is the master of jazz clarinet and no one has ever even come close. Love his music forever!

[JimV33]

AMEN!!

Jim V

[imjaytee]

Amen! The best tone ever.

[stuballs42]

Started out on Lawrence Welk's show!!!!

[johnnichols55]

this guy is the best ever!! long live Pete Fountain---- AMEN!!!!

[bvwatcher]

That was some pretty nice work on the 'bone too.

[arsinc]

Awesome

[killywillythepenguin]

darn good clarinet playing!!

dont get much better than this

[JeremiahBaker2]

does pete play on softer reeds for his playing?

[JimV33]

Pete uses 2 1/2 strength reeds on a crystal mouthpiece with a 45 to 46 thousands tip opening.

Jim V

[JeremiahBaker2]

Thanks for the reply!

[Spiritree41]

Mercy : )

[kourosll]

Pete improvise une citation dans ce trés beau "Basin Street." Peut-on m'en donner le titre. Thanks.

[5O4ever]

I went to middle school at Pete's old mansion in city park, new orleans. Miss you new orleans and thank you, Pete

[pegcage]

Thank you, Jim, for posting these great videos, and, hey, you play a great clarinet, too!

[Profeshian]

Delicious.

[PaineLover]

Pete is the sweetest guy; like a lovable teddy bear. I met him in 1982. I have a big picture of the two of us which I'll cherish forever. I wondered if he stayed in New Orleans after Katrina? Is his wife Beverly still living? I love Pete and his clarinet. Forever a FAN.

[foolsbetrippin]

do you say his last name 'fauntain??'

[optiguytomgmail]

No... it's Fountain like the drinking fountain.

[JammerJawz]

I was a deckhand back in 1994 on the Delta Queen and I was able to watch him play when he would come aboard. We would pull over and pick him up on the side of the river, I would help him ono the gangway and he always tried to tip me. He was a really nice guy.

[JimV33]

Your right on, he's a really nice guy and friend and my idol. 1994 is the year I got to sit in with his band.

Thanks

Jim Valentine

[Fredricoillos]

I love comments on ghospel/tradisional Jazz, i don't find bad/hurting comments :D and!

PETE! YOU'RE THE MAN! :D

xD

[re6356]

Bilko2000. You are right; superb musicianship.

[renduke]

great music from all eras is timeless PETE is Great.....if you click my name my favorite videos list will appear.....for some of you older guys TOMMY EMMANUEL playing somehere over the rainbow is NOT to be missed.

JEFF BECK plays the same song on electric guitar as well as amazing grace, interview followed by nadia. 2 GUITARIST UNREAL..Rolling Stones far away eyes.....page 2 i even have gene krupa

it's all listed so you don't have to search one at a time....i think you will enjoy it.

[Chromatype]

My husband and I went to see Pete Fountain while in New Orleans. He was just great.

[renduke]

i responded to the pete fountain video he is great......click my name...read my post 2 or 3 guys i have on fav list that should NOT be missed

[re6356]

Great musician.

[starbasehollywood]

I use to manage a hotel in Biloxi Mississippi he owned. Pete Fountains "Buena Vista" it was on the beach. There's nut'n else better than seeing him live. A plate full of crab, a few oysters.. and the sound of Pete... Thanks for posting... brings back memories.

[elixirguitarist]

whoa did you guys catch that little melody from rhapsody in blue at 2:43?! amazing!

[copper4tube]

Seems there's some tradition amongst players to have small quotes when soloing. It can be great fun, sometimes they are intended for a specific listener for fun (at least in my experience) Listen for "na na - na na - boo boo", it comes up once in a while in jazz solos.

[rdnkengnr]

Gerswin's "Rhapsody In Blue"?

[Ahcontraire]

If you like Pete, then you would also like Tim Laughlin. Tim studied under Pete, but has a style of his own.

[Fredricoillos]

I have never heard about this guy.

still i have played the clarinet for 9 years.

i am a Benny Goodman fan, BUT THIS IS AWSOME!!

[skitrees]

Fredicoillos, I'm glad you found Pete!! I, too, was a Benny Goodman / Artie Shaw man (notice I use the word "was"?) Welcome to the club of Pete!! Don't get me wrong - Benny, Artie, Woody, Edmond, George, etc., were all great and I love them - but Pete...he's just somethin' special all on his own. He not only manipulates the keys on that stick, or the wind he pushes through it; he manipulates the heart and soul of anyone within range as his magic pours out!(check out Tim Laughlin @ Myspace)

[Fredricoillos]

Thank you^^, i found that nice^^, and i do love this guys tone, it's like melting in your mouth!:D xD

[xcracer2]

i don't like jazz but i still have his cds!

he's amazing

i play clarinet, but only classical and modern...no jazz

he makes me want to play jazz though

[Kunai505]

he's the reason i started playing jazz, about to start my 2nd year of it =-)

[clarachandler]

Oh my GOD...this man was as NO as anyone. This white man can flat play with serious soul, you feel what he feels...my ol' man absolutely loves his music...I was raised in NO and Pete is THE man. He is from Ocean Springs, MS though

An' so is Al Hirt!...

[wirepuller1951]

According to wikipedia and others....

Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. (born July 3, 1930) is a New Orleans clarinetist.

Pete Fountain was born in New Orleans and started playing clarinet heavily influenced by Irving Fazola

[wirepuller1951]

Also according to wikipedia....

Alois Maxwell Hirt (November 7, 1922 -- April 27, 1999) was a popular American trumpeter and bandleader.

Hirt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana

[ZaneWilson44]

He makes me cry when I listen to him! Pete, you ARE the Man...

[ikerdt1]

fantastic! i never tire of listening to him

[vglav]

Pete makes Kenny G sound like a monkey with a football.

[tripacer2005]

@vglav yes

[victoruhldotcom]

Pete Fountain is, and always will be THE MAN. They don't come any better than him.

[ePhilosopher]

big lebowskies to youtube

[tooslimnc]

Have you got a recording of "Memories of You" that you can post? I love how he does it...

[Arlenbr]

An amazing and incredibly talented man. First saw him when I was (ahem) years old, playing on the (would you believe it?) Lawrence Welk Show. I especially liked listening to Pete when the late Jack Sperling was playing drums for him. But he's great with whomever he plays. May he live long and continue to prosper!

[AngolaVoom]

Still amazing after all of this time.... my hero.

[wspappabear927]

A great person as well as a great musician.

[unkboris]

Benny Who? The King Of What?

Go Pete, it's you and Acker....that's it!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful, Thank You!

[dmekalian]

Still sounds fantastic!

Visit the complete Pete Fountain Discographpy

petefountain blogspot com

[dmekalian]

The blues never sounded better!

Visit the complete Pete Fountain Discographpy

petefountain blogspot com

[jinryder]

its amazing how pete is feeling his own music

[ionnus1000]

I actually saw Pete live in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was one of the greatest concert I have ever seen!

[jinryder]

thx so much for sharing just wonderful not even to put in words

[americanrocklegends]

The man makes the clarinet sing he is amazing, I remember seeing him on the Johnny Carson show. These days school jazz bands don't use a clarinet normally, it's a shame because it's a fantastic jazz instrument.

[bobby8168]

I have love Pete since i was a kid. my son love him to now he is 18. I was lucky not only to have seen him and herd him play 3 times but i meet him and got him to sign a record form the late 50s. he is cool guy i love ya Pete

[4N0M4L0U55H1N081]

... i've never heard a clarinet until today...

[Buglebill]

Pete's one of the best. If you like Pete though, you should listen to Sydney Bechet...what a big sound and tone.

[user192021]

Holy hell that dude can get down with a clarinet.

[kayb36]

kayb36.. Pete Fountain! The very best!

[nycdavid68]

I am a freelance clarinetist here in NYC and Pete Fountain was my first clarinet recording that I owned. Thanks for putting in on here.

[jcnet103]

Thank's so very much for the marvelous music tha you put on.

jcnet

[JimV33]

Thank You for the comment. I play clarinet and Pete has been my idol for over 40 years. I've listened to a lot of clarinet players and no one plays so sweet and with so much feeling as Pete Fountain.

[BellMaccas]

this fuking brillent mate. i thought the original of this song was good but this is out standing. thank you so very much