Bob Wilber & Kenny Davern play Black And Blue

[altoalto1]

on a straight sopranosax for a change!

[medmond6]

From app. 1970 to 1980 my family (my wife and I and my parents) belonged to the New Jersey Jazz Society and got to hear and see these guys and many other great classical Jazz musicians often sometimes in intimate venues (a members house) as well as Jazz Society sponsored events. I must say I miss those years mucho. Saw Warren Vache and Scott Hamilton literally grow up . Ah me....

[17205513]

Got damn he's playing to much horn. A total master

[grautgramzen]

The solos by Bob Wilber and Kenny Davern are miraculous and beautiful. This kind of playing is enough to make a grown man cry.

[RemsysJazz]

Couldn't agree more !

[punchsboy]

Not only is it a beautiful solo, there is a complete communication with the song, the musicians, the audience. Music flows out naturally because everything is connected, especially the soul of Bob Wilbur and his horn. "Spinning" note is more than a trick-it is suspended in the air and you can hear it fill the room and makes the solo almost a living thing. Compare this with some of the modern cats playing detached 16th and 32nd notes that have no connection. How you gonna suspend a 32nd note?

[loxodonta74]

I had the pleasure of hearing the Soprano Summit live in the 70s. This really took me back. Thanks...it doesn't get any better than this if you like clarinet and soprano !

[9652584]

Bob Wilber? For REAL!? Mr., you're TOPS with me! Discovered you on a Jack Teagarden album on clarinet, then. Bless you BUNCHES!

[blingblong99]

Hi Bob and Pug

DOn't know if you remember me, but Alan Littlejohn was my father.

We will be coming to see you at Pinner next year as I just found out you are playing there. This is fantastic! And it's great that you are still playing. Look forward to seeing you. Nick.

[ernestofalzone]

from an admirer of Bob Wilber... thanks for that amazing soprano solo... I'm listening again and again!

Regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina!

[zamar09]

Yes,it's one of the best solo I've ever heard on Black and Blue with the quotation of "les bateliers de la Volga" (russian music)

[mpcguy]

i've heard that sidney used to play a chopped off clarinet mpc on his soprano so i tried it myself and it does work although not the best for me. is there any truth to this story?

[oldtimejazzfan]

Never heard that and on all photos he uses a normal soprano MP

[RemsysJazz]

There's no doubt that what you are looking at is the greatest soprano sax playing of today. Bob Wilber absorbed the genius of Bechet at first hand, apparently becoming indistinguishable from Bechet at the Ryans Club sessions, but then he moved on to the sound and style you see here. Two fabulous LP's come to mind, one with Maxine Sullivan and one with Bud Freeman, but its unfair to pick and choose just two.

[bobandpug]

Thank you for your kind comments...

Bob Wilber

[mpcguy]

does anybody know what vintage of, i'm assuming beusher saxophone, bob is playing and what the mouthpiece is? once again great solo bob i love it every time i hear it!

[bobandpug]

Hi-its a Martin & Ria light weight metal mouthpiece #2.

Keep swingin'..Bob

[mpcguy]

man what great players. wonderful solo bob i wish i'd been around to study with sidney. you took what he shared and made it your own. great kenny too. i wish i knew where i could get ahold of some of the sop summit arrangements. long live bob wilbur, r.i.p. kenny and bechet!

[bobandpug]

Bechet had a whole bag of tricks that he would use to heighten the dramatic effect of his performance.This is one of many!Bob Wilber

[duncanjazz]

Thank you Bob for the many years of listening pleasure you have given me. This solo is superb. As a clarinetist and occasional soprano sax player myself you have been an inspiration. I hope you are well.

[oldtimejazzfan]

This is the proof that a straight soprano sounds much better than a curved one (compare Black & Blue with St. Louis Blues of the same session!). I have a Buescher of 1924 and a Conn of 1923 myself and both sound superb. I'm a great fan of you ever since I heard WASTE NO TEARS with Sidney and you (I saw you life at the Widder Bar in Zurich some years ago).

[PerrinPascal]

A straight soprano sounds differently compared with a curved model but not necessarily better..Bob uses the 2 models..but with different Mouthpieces..so it's difficult to form an opinion..On this wonderful vidéo, he plays,I think, with a S35 HR Vandoren mpc..Compared with the version of "Dear old southland" with Winton Marsalis on Dailymotion..Bob sounds differently because of his RIA metal mpc...Somehow,bob's solo,here is inspired and brilliant..Mr Wilber is a great great musician!!!!

[nikpayton]

Bob once told me that was an old trick of Bechet's. He used to hold a low Bb and swing the horn around to create a weird effect! That was Bechet for you :)

[RemsysJazz]

Hello Nick, I enjoyed your appearance with Bob at Upton in August 2006. I also have good memories of your performances at Mickleton a long long time ago. Best wishes, Mac.

[1229satyrnine]

wow...the bridge at about 2:13 wilber does an interesting calisthenic. I've never seen anything done quite like it...neat effect, which probably was a much richer experience live than here.. neat!