Ralph Katz

Favorite Music Links

last updated 3/24/2019

Back to Clarinet page: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/Clarinet

This page lists groups I have heard live or in recording, and places I have heard them. This is definitely not exhaustive.

Ann Arbor Local Performers - regular events

Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings (1920's big band: jazz): (oops) http://www.porkjazz.com

See this fun 10-piece group at Live at PJ's in Ann Arbor every Sunday 5PM-8PM. If your toe's not tapping, check your pulse.

Easy Street Jazz Band (Dixieland and more) http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/easy-street-jazz-band/

led on cornet and soprano sax by Paul Klinger, has been playing traditional jazz and swing since 1970, focusing on music from 1915 to 1945.  Hear them every Tuesday 5-8PM at the Zal Gaz Grotto Club in Ann Arbor. 

=> Opera On Tap http://www.operaontap.com/a2y/ 

Area operatic singers in need of a gig sing starting at 8:30PM on the first Tuesday each month at the Sidetrack, Depot Town, Ypsilanti.  Come early for dinner or risk not getting a place to sit.

Ann Arbor Local Performers - keep your eyes peeled for them 

Raisin Pickers (trio: folk, bluegrass): http://www.raisinpicker.com/loader.html

Mark & Carol Palms' group has morphed over the years, and performs an eclectic mix of original and other material.

River Raisin Ragtime Revue (13-piece theater orchestra):  http://www.ragtimeband.org

A refined, polished sound from journeyman players.

Royal Garden Trio: http://www.theroyalgardentrio.com/

Hot music with the versatile but uncommon combination of solo guitar, cello (!!), and rhythm guitar/clarinet. These guys have too much fun ("Don't tell my wife, she thinks I am at work" - Tom Bogardus.)

Paul Keller (jazz): http://www.pkorecords.com/

Bass player and band leader Keller always has a number of projects going on.  Catch the Paul Keller Orchestra (big band) every Monday at Zal Gaz Grotto, 2070 West Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor.

Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings (PORK)

10-piece 1920's dance band - if your toe's not tapping, check your pulse.

Vocal Arts Ensemble (classical): http://vaeannarbor.org/

25 vocal music teachers.  A superb acapella mixed choir conducted by Ben Cohen.

Waleed Howrani (classical): http://waleedhowrani.com/

Lives in Ann Arbor, born in Lebanon, this pianist, composer, and pedagogue studied with Emil Gilels in Moscow.  In 2008 I was in the band at a wedding where Mr. Howrani walked up during a break and performed the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody as a wedding gift.  What an immense act to follow! 

Paul Vornhagen (jazz/Latin): http://www.paulvornhagen.com/

Redoubtable local sax/flute player ran regular Thursday jam sessions in the 1980's at The Apartment Lounge (now gone) - raising the roof for the fun of it.

Performers - ethnic

Brave Old World (quartet: Klezmer, world): http://www.braveoldworld.com/

Muszikas (quartet: Hungarian, world): http://www.muzsikas.hu

Ivo Papazov (clarinet: Balkan, world):

- http://ivo-papasov.com/

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWTNkYagHtY

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivo_Papasov

- http://www.myspace.com/ivopapasov

Holy cow, how does he play so many notes?  It doesn't matter whether you are from Bulgaria - if your aren't dancing, then check your pulse. 

My friend Petko approached clinical depression upon finding that he had missed a local performance.

Taraf de Haïdouks (band: hungarian - world) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraful_Haiducilor

Jim Stoyanoff: (clarinet - Greek, Macodonian): http://mp3.mondomix.com/jim-stoyanoff

Chicago based, an exciting player on his Amati G Albert klarino. 

Performers - jazz, crossover

Eddie Daniels (clarinet: classical, jazz): http://www.eddiedanielsclarinet.com/

Bela Fleck (banjo: bluegrass, jazz): http://www.belafleck.com/

An incredible crossover performer whose extensive work, unlike many others, never insults his audience. I am suprised at how often I find him listed on albums as a side man, using his banjo as a midi trigger.

Ken Peplowski (clarinet: jazz): http://www.kenpeplowski.com/

Omigaw what a clarinetist! Check out his blog.  Heard him at the Firefly in Ann Arbor, MI and he was awesome.

Richard Stoltzman (clarinet: classical, cross-over):

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stoltzman

- http://tashi.to.tripod.com/richard-stoltzman.html

I admire this redoubtable player for the risks he takes. He has recorded many major and not-so-major works. He has toured performing chamber music, solos with orchestras, and with Woodie Herman's New Thundering Herd.

Sujeito A Guincho (clarinet quartet: classical & Brazilian popular): http://www.wacinternational.com/es/

If you don't know there are clarinets in South America, then pick up one of these five classically trained performers' CD's. If your toe isn't tapping, check your pulse.  Their name is a pun. "Sujeito a guancho", literally "caught on a hook", means your car has been towed away. "Guincho" means "squeak".

Mark Dover

Jazz and Classical player who grew up in Ann Arbor, attended Interlochen Arts Academy, University of Michigan, and Manhattan School of Music.  Look for the Copeland Clarinet Concerto with Broken Glass, and any other clips on YouTube.

Friends:

Tim Prosser (rock on the mando): http://www.mandolinmaniac.com

[Friends: please talk to me if you want to be listed here.]

Performers - Z"L

German Goldenstheyn (clarinet: klezmer): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Goldenshteyn

Dave Tarras (clarinet: klezmer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Tarras

Favorite Venues:

The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI): http://www.theark.org/

Legendary, accessible folk venue.

Zal Gaz Grotto (Ann Arbor, MI): http://zalgaz.org/

Private club owned by the Masons has live Jazz every Sunday (Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings), Monday (Paul Keller Orchestra), and Tuesday (Easy Street - dixieland)

AACTMAD (Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance) 

Dancing to live music at several venues almost every day: http://aactmad.org/

Back to Clarinet page: http://ralphkatz.pbworks.com/Clarinet