Barney Bigard
Albany Leon "Barney" Bigard was born on March 3, 1906, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Creole parents. He began playing the E-flat clarinet at the age of seven, studying under Lorenzo Tio, Jr. Bigard's early career saw him playing both clarinet and tenor saxophone in New Orleans. In 1924, he moved to Chicago, where he initially found more demand for his tenor saxophone skills, performing with King Oliver's Dixie Syncopators and making numerous recordings.
In December 1927, Bigard joined Duke Ellington's Orchestra in New York, where he became the featured clarinet soloist for 15 years. His New Orleans-style clarinet playing added a unique dimension to Ellington's music, contributing to classics like "Mood Indigo," which he co-composed. Bigard's tenure with Ellington lasted until 1942, after which he moved to Los Angeles to work in Hollywood and perform with other notable musicians, including Kid Ory and Louis Armstrong.
Bigard was a key member of Louis Armstrong's All-Stars from 1947 to 1955, during which he toured extensively. He briefly rejoined Armstrong in 1960. Throughout his career, Bigard also led his own group, Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters, recording the first version of the jazz standard "Caravan" in 1936. He semi-retired in the 1960s but continued to perform occasionally, including at jazz festivals and Disneyland.
Barney Bigard passed away on June 27, 1980, in Culver City, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of jazz's premier clarinetists. His autobiography, "With Louis and The Duke," chronicles his experiences with two of jazz's most iconic figures.
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