Hungarian jazz clarinetist Joe Fritz relocated to Brisbane last year; now he brings his style of swing to the Brisbane Jazz Club for the first time.
His show will be an audio history of the jazz clarinet, with performances from the songbooks of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Buddy DeFranco, Tony Scott and Jimmy Giuffre.
How did you become interested in Jazz and the clarinet?
I have a family who loves music. My grandfather was a Gypsy violinist and my dad was a jazz and classical clarinetist before I was born. When I was 7 I played the violin, but I was seriously untalented, so when I turned 12 my father said 'maybe you can put down the violin if you can choose a different instrument'. Meantime he brought home a cassette where Fred Astaire sang with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. I wanted the clarinet, and he gave me this old instrument from the cupboard. I started to play on the instrument in May, and my first gig was in September that same year at Hotel Flamenco in Budapest.
What brings you to Brisbane?
My good friend Bela Piri, a bass player, lived in Brisbane for 15 years. We played together in clubs in Europe, and he recommended this city because the weather and the good musicians are here. At last I moved here with my wife, Anett, who is a fashion designer, last winter.
How do you find the jazz scene in comparison to those in Europe and USA?
That is a hard question. My opinion is that jazz has a deep-entertainment style in the USA and more artistic in Europe.
You have labelled your major influences as Benny Goodman and Buddy DeFranco. Were they a huge part of you heading over to the States?
Yes, my first influence was Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw, but later I listened to Buddy DeFranco's LPs. After the jazz conservatory I realised Buddy was the only clarinetist in the jazz history who can combine the clarinet with the bebop style. In 1996 I met him in Paris. It was a big moment in my life.
Could you give a brief history of any recordings you have done?
My first record was 'Still And Sparkling' in 2003. It was a great five-piece band. Between 2006-2011 I had a 'Salute' CD series. 'Salute To Benny Goodman' (Vol 1), 'Salute To Henry Mancini (Vol 2)', 'Salute To Norman Granz (Vol 3)', 'Salute To The Favorites (Vol 4)', and the last album was with the Joe Fritz Trio.
Any plans to tour further in Australia?
Yes! I think Melbourne and Sydney will be the next two jazz-stations.
Any other plans for 2016 in terms of recordings?
Yes, we are working on a new CD with guitarists Daniele Vilella and Miranda Deutsch about some Django Reinhardt' style music; I also plan the next 'Salute' CD. Salute to who? That is a secret.
Any particular Australian jazz artists you like?
I have a great friend in Melbourne, clarinetist legend Alex Hutchinson. And of course virtuoso Andy Firth and multi-instrument James Morrison.
What type of music do you intend to bring to the Brisbane show?
I think it will be a very fiery night. In the band is Dan Quigley on trumpet, Travis Jenkins on guitar, Andrew Shaw on bass and Gary Eldershaw on drums. The music will be the hits from the '30s and '40s by Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, and the '50s by Buddy DeFranco, Tony Scott, Woody Herman and Jimmy Giuffre. Maybe a little Dixieland by Pete Fountain. I'm also thinking about some originals, but not sure yet. We'll see how sounds it in rehearsal.
Joe Fritz plays the Brisbane Jazz Club 22 January.
