I love jazz, New ORleans Jazz. I love playing the clarinet. Why is htat band directors think that the two don't go together. I'm a senior this year and ever since 6th grade I've wanted to play jazz music. But my directors says that they don't want a clarinet or need a clarinet. To me all jazz needs a clarinet. Who's with me? The other day my band director was talknig about possibly having another jazz band and allowing non-traditional jazz instruments in. I looked at my second chair in shock, since when is the clarinet non-traditional jazz. It's a conspriacy to kick the clarinet outta jazz. I say we stop it!

yea that is right. clarinets are not jazz insturments. thats why kids in my band that wants to get into there they switch from clarinet to saxophone just for that purpose. but clarinet has there old sort of jazz which is called klzmer. look it up. its really cool but it doesnt sound like jazz really it seems arabic.

i have one on there on youtube with something thats klzmer(didnt spell that correct). my screen name is clarinetguy10 and its title is henderson band camp concert. start at 2 minutes

Eddie Daniels - being a state of the art classical and jazz clarinetist.
Its rare but can be done.

The clarinet is a beautiful colorful sounded instrument suitable for any musical style, of course depending on the skill of the player. Jazz IS hard to play though, as you need both high degree of techincal and musical skills.

Listen to Duke Ellington, for example "Live at Newport festival" in 1956, where the introduction by Jimmy Hamilton is one of my favourites as well as other brilliant clarinet parts in this live recording.

But maybe a conservative big-band leader dont want any pure clarinet-voice to be added (at least not if you dont can play the sax also whenever there are no room for clarinet in the arr.).

well thankfully my director is having an after school jazz band and is allowing me to play my clarinet. I am really excited.

Why don't you learn tenor sax? its in Bb too and its pretty simple fingering....my friend who made the state band (TEXAS) on clarinet last year just made First Tenor Sax in the State Jazz ENsemble....its totalyl possible.....Go for IT :D