“Why not Clarinet” Miguel Ruiz Santos Master in Contemporary Music Performance Candidate About me HISTORICAL CONTEXT: The clarinet’s path along music history The clarinet in Eastern Europe Balkan and Klezmer Music Jazz and Clarinetists ANCIENT GREEK MUSIC dimotikó, folk and traditional music. Main solo instruments : clarinet and violin. In the 19th century the klarino music was very popular, which was "exported" by the gypsies to the rest of Europe. From Greece to Eastern Europe: Ancient Greek music was the base for Persian music. It was also an influence in Byzantine music, Arabic music and Balkan music. BALKAN and KLEZMER MUSIC. The clarinet players and clarinet´s role in Gypsy music and Klezmer. Vasilis Saleas Greece Giora Feidman Argentina/Israel Hüsnü Senlendirici Turkey Andy Statman USA Ivo Papazov Tale Ognenovski Bulgaria Petroloukas Chalkias Greece Martin Frost Sweden JAZZ AND CLARINETISTS 1- AT THE BEGINNING: NEW ORLEANS CLARINETISTS At the beginning of jazz music, the clarinet was very common. There were a large number of clarinetists who played Dixieland, Swing and Classic Jazz. Heritage of Jewish musicians-Klezmorim 1892-Born in New Orleans the great clarinetist Johnny Dodds Jazz, was one of the most famous clarinetists of his time. Some years later, he joined the famous group of Louis Armstrong's "Hot Five" Jimmie Noone led his own band in the “Apex Club" in Chicago. He broke with the traditional format of jazz bands and created a new style, a type of chamber jazz, where the melody was clear and audible. 2- The Glorious Swing Era for clarinet About 1935 the beginning of the Age of Swing is officially regarded: the golden age of big bands and the clarinet. Benny Goodman in 1937 was named the "King of Swing". Buster Bailey, Barney Bigard, Irving Fazola (in his second stage), Artie Shaw and many other clarinet players should be highlighted in this style. Darnell Howard-1953 THE KING OF SWING (USA-Poland) USA-(Russia/Austria) 3- The Bebop: The clarinet in danger of extinction 1939-1940. With the Great Depression and the approach of 2nd World War, big bands changed into combos with fewer members (cheaper) The clarinet and trombone were gradually disappearing from the jazz stage. Buddy DeFranco is one of the great clarinetists of all time and was the most famous clarinet player in the 40s. He was able to adapt to the more modern jazz and bebop. BUDDY De FRANCO Acker Bilk Paquito D’Rivera PEDRO ITURRALDE 50vs21 WHY AM I DOING THIS WORK? WHAT DO I WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS? MAIN GOAL: Diffusion of clarinet in the current music scene to increase its use, especially in jazz and modern music . Objectives: • The study and interpretation of various musical styles. • The composition and adaptation of a new repertoire for the clarinet. • The search for an artistic voice and identity. • The recording of the new repertoire. • Claiming the clarinet as versatile and dynamic instrument. Composition of modern music pieces using the clarinet as the main instrument -To provide greater clarinet repertoire in these styles -To be able to express myself as an artist and find my own style Recording my works and collaborations with my friends -Share my music with the audience -Extend my personal repertoire and the general clarinet repertoire Creating a website - A platform for the clarinet diffusion - Self Promotion and sharing my music My Music My Recordings PIECE Nº 1 TITTLE PUTTING ON THE RITZ FOR CLARINETS COMPOSED IN September 2013 INFLUENCES Dixieland, Classic Jazz RECORDING DATE October 3rd, 2013 MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos, Bb Clarinet-arranger Beth Michelle Schofield, Eb Sopran Clarinet Nick Zeigler, Bass Clarinet ENGINEER Kyle Pyke LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES -The goal in this piece was to give prominence to the clarinet in a jazz context. -This is an arrangement of a known jazz standard only for clarinets, for a Clarinet group. -My first idea was to do it for a clarinet quartet, but there were not clarinet players enough at school, and I tried to reduce it for a trio. -The original form of topic is maintained, but at the end there is an original coda. (No SOLOS section) -Instrumentation: Eb Sopran Clarinet-Bb clarinet-Bass Clarinet PIECE Nº 1 TITTLE PUTTING ON THE RITZ FOR COMBO COMPOSED IN September-October 2013 INFLUENCES Dixieland, Classic Jazz RECORDING DATE October 29th, 2013 MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos, Bb Clarinet-arranger Alexey León, Alto Sax Max Ridley, Doublebass Rodrigo Malvido, Drums ENGINEER Kyle Pyke LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES -This is a version for a jazz combo with the clarinet as a leader. -With this kind of , I can try how clarinet works in different settings, with other instruments. -The form of the tune is this arrangement is longer, with SOLOS section: Intro-A-A-B-A-SOLOS-B-A-C-A´ -Instrumentation: Acoustic- Bb clarinet, Alto Sax, Doublebass and Drums. PIECE Nº 3 TITTLE PATA TIESA COMPOSED IN November 2013- March 2014 INFLUENCES Latin Jazz- Brazilian music. RECORDING DATE March 20th and overdubs MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos, Clarinet-composer Peter Connolly, ac Guitar Haojun Qi, Bass Avila Santo, Percussion ENGINEER Miguel Ruiz Santos LINK AUDIO --- FEATURES -This work came about from an improvisation because of my study of Latin music. -The goal was to make a typical composition of Latin music to absorb its elements and then, to be able to do a Jazz fusion tune with other styles. -It's a classic bossa nova, but played by Clarinet, not very common instrument in that style. --Instrumentation: Bb clarinet, Ac. Guitar, Bass and Percussion PIECE Nº 4 TITTLE LOVE IN MARCH COMPOSED IN November-December 2013 INFLUENCES Jazz Ballad and Classical Music. RECORDING DATE February 10th, 2014 MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos, Clarinet-composer Fernando Pascual, violin Pau Ruiz, violin Xavi Puig, viola Elena Ruano, cello ENGINEER Piereluigi Barberis & Kyle Pyke LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES Starting from one of the most used formations and instrumentations in classical music, in this work I tried compose something different. -I used the string quartet with clarinet, following the footsteps of Mozart and Brahms. “Love in March” is a jazz ballad that is special because I create a game with classical and jazz style passages during most of the piece. -Form: Intro-A-B-A-SOLOS-A´-CODA PIECE Nº 5 TITTLE FLAMINCOU! COMPOSED IN December 2013-January 2014 INFLUENCES Flamenco music, Spanish Folk music ( Seguidillas Manchegas) and Latin Music RECORDING DATE March 12th, 2014 MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos,Clarinet-composer Piotr Orzechowsky,Piano Peter Connolly, ac. Guitar Daniel Toledo,Bass Sergio Martínez,Percussion ENGINEER Corey Ashe-Bradford & Kyle Spyke LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES Music based bulerías and mixed with Latin rhythms. -Form: Intro+A+B+A+C+A+SOLOS+C+A+CODA -Introduction where the instruments are presented -“Topic A” that is the link to all the different topics which join flamenco harmony to the bulerias rhythm. -“Topic B” with Latin rhythms -“Topic C” with Seguidillas Manchegas, typical rhythm of Spanish folk music. In Flamincou!, I tried you combine two of my passions, Spanish and Latin music. PIECE Nº 6 TITTLE DOS ASTILLAS COMPOSED IN January 2014 INFLUENCES Rumba Flamenca and Latin Rhythms RECORDING DATE March 12th, 2014 MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos,Clarinet-composer Piotr Orzechowsky,Piano Peter Connolly, ac. Guitar Daniel Toledo,Bass Sergio Martínez,Percussion ENGINEER Corey Ashe-Bradford & Kyle Pyke LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES -Inspired by"Barri laComa" (Perico Sambeat). -The idea is mixing the typical “Rythm and Changes” with the rhythm of rumba flamenca. -In addition to this, following my previous line of work, I wanted to join the two types of rumba, Cuban and Flamenca, making a work of Fusion Jazz. PIECE Nº 7 TITTLE AKANÓNISTO COMPOSED IN April-May 2014 INFLUENCES Greek, Turkish Music RECORDING DATE May 30th , 2014 MUSICIANS Miguel Ruiz Santos, Clarinet-composer Djudju Hartono, Piano Peter Connolly, ac Guitar Haojun Qi, Bass Alex Williams, Drums Mt Aditya Srinivasan, Tabla and Percussion. ENGINEER Tim  Shull  &  Kyle  Pyke   LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES - Original composition also based on the Greek modes and where traditional Greek and Turkish rhythms are mixed with jazz Style. - The rhythmic signature is in 5/8 and 6/8 and I tried to use the rhythmic modulation. This is a new concept for me. - Great contrast between rhythm and the different topics. - Form: INTRO (Guitar Solo)- A-B B- A- SOLOS- B-A Similar to a Rondo (Classical Music inflence) - Acoustic instrumentation. PIECE Nº 8 TITTLE KARSÍ- LLAMAS COMPOSED IN February-­‐March  2014   INFLUENCES East-­‐European  Music     RECORDING DATE April  11th,  2014   MUSICIANS ENGINEER Miguel  Ruiz  Santos,  Clarinet-­‐composer   Djudju  Hartono,  Piano   Juan  Cristóbal  Aliaga,  el.  Guitar   Andrea  Fraenzel,  Bass   Mikael  Cahubert,  Drums   Ilias  Papantoniou,  Darbuka       Tim  Shull  &  Kyle  Pyke   LINK AUDIO www.clarinetjazz.es/miguelruizsantos/media FEATURES Original composition based on the Greek modes, where popular styles of Eastern Europe and jazz are mixed. - It includes many rhythmic changes because I looked to create the atmosphere of dances. - Great contrast between rhythm and the different topics. - Form: INTRO-A-B-B'-Solos-A - Electro-acoustic instrumentation. Clarinetjazz.es wants to be a platform and a meeting point for clarinetists, but not only that, it's a website for dissemination and sharing material, dedicated to all music lovers in general and clarinet lovers and musicians in particular. Structure of the web HOME PAGE CLARINETJAZZ.ES/MENU Miguel Ruiz Santos/HOME PAGE-MENU MY MUSIC THE MEDIA FILES MY COMPOSITIONS THE SCORES Put all modern clarinetists in contact with each other Publicize projects similar to mine Publicize young and upcoming clarinetists www.clarinetjazz.es -The clarinet is a very dynamic and versatile instrument -It can be used in many different styles -It has to recover its lost relevance and its role in modern music -THERE´S POWER IN NUMBERS! Working together, we are stronger… -Teachers -Faculty Members -Staff -Classmates -FRIENDS! Miguel Ruiz Santos Master in Contemporary Music Performance. Berklee Valencia. 2014