Famous Clarinet Players: who are the most legendary clarinetists of all time?If you’re searching for Famous Clarinet Players, start with swing icons Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, early jazz pioneer Sidney Bechet, bebop innovator Buddy DeFranco, and modern jazz stars like Anat Cohen. In classical music, the clarinet’s biggest household names include Richard Stoltzman, Sabine Meyer, Karl Leister, Martin Fröst, and Anthony McGill. All artists who helped turn the clarinet into a front-line solo instrument across concert halls and recordings worldwide.

Jazz
Swing
Classical
Klezmer
World Music
Pop & Crossover

The clarinet has a rare superpower: it can sound velvety and lyrical one moment, then explode into bright, acrobatic fire the next.
That versatility is why so many Famous Clarinet Players became defining voices in jazz, classical, klezmer, and popular music.
This updated guide expands far beyond a simple “top 10” list—so you can discover the legendary names, the genre-shapers, and the modern masters who made the clarinet famous.

What Makes a Clarinetist Famous?

There are thousands of great clarinetists. The Famous Clarinet Players rise to the top because they do one (or more) of these things exceptionally well:

• Define an era (for example, swing clarinet becoming a mainstream star sound).
• Create a signature tone that other players immediately recognize and imitate.
• Change the vocabulary—new phrasing, articulation, improvisation language, or technique.
• Expand repertoire by inspiring new compositions, recordings, or performance traditions.
• Reach a wide audience through iconic recordings, concerts, film/TV, or global touring.

Top 10 Famous Clarinet Players (Quick List)

If you only want the headline names, here are 10 Famous Clarinet Players who show up again and again in “greatest of all time” conversations:

1. Benny Goodman (Swing)
2. Artie Shaw (Swing)
3. Sidney Bechet (Early Jazz)
4. Buddy DeFranco (Bebop)
5. Richard Stoltzman (Classical)
6. Sabine Meyer (Classical)
7. Karl Leister (Classical)
8. Martin Fröst (Classical/Contemporary)
9. Anat Cohen (Modern Jazz)
10. Anthony McGill (Classical)

Keep reading for a deeper, genre-by-genre tour with more legendary and culturally important Famous Clarinet Players.

Famous Clarinet Players: Summary Table

Famous Jazz Clarinet Players

Jazz is where the clarinet became a superstar instrument—and where many of the most Famous Clarinet Players created the sounds audiences still associate with “classic” clarinet.
From New Orleans roots to swing, bebop, and modern genre-blending, these artists built the clarinet’s jazz language.

Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman is routinely listed as the most famous clarinetist in popular music history. Nicknamed the “King of Swing,” Goodman led one of the biggest bands of the 1930s and helped turn jazz into mainstream entertainment.
His crisp articulation, brilliant tone, and effortless technique became a reference point for generations.

• Why he’s famous: Brought clarinet-led swing to mass audiences; iconic bandleader and soloist.
• Listen for: Clean, driving swing phrasing and laser-focused rhythmic feel.

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Artie Shaw

Artie Shaw was Goodman’s great swing-era counterpart—another towering name among Famous Clarinet Players. Shaw’s playing is celebrated for its elegance and dramatic arc, and his arranging often blended jazz with classical colors.
He’s closely associated with his chart-topping 1938 recording of “Begin the Beguine.”

• Why he’s famous: Virtuoso swing clarinet with sophisticated arranging and orchestration.
• Listen for: Singing legato lines, big dynamic shaping, and refined phrasing.

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Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet was one of the first major soloists in jazz history, known for both clarinet and soprano saxophone. His sound is unmistakably vocal—bold, emotional, and direct.
For anyone exploring Famous Clarinet Players beyond swing, Bechet is essential early jazz listening.

• Why he’s famous: Early jazz pioneer and a defining solo voice of New Orleans tradition.
• Listen for: Expressive vibrato, strong melodic storytelling, and commanding tone.

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Johnny Dodds

Johnny Dodds is a foundational New Orleans/Chicago-style clarinetist and a key figure in early recorded jazz. He’s widely noted for his work as a major soloist on classic recordings in the Louis Armstrong circle.
If you’re building a historical playlist of Famous Clarinet Players, Dodds belongs near the top.

• Why he’s famous: Core early-jazz clarinet sound—earthy, bluesy, and rhythmic.
• Listen for: Big blues inflection and a powerful, reedy timbre.

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Jimmie Noone

Jimmie Noone led the Apex Club Orchestra in Chicago and became one of the most influential clarinet voices of the 1920s.
His smoother, more lyrical approach strongly influenced later jazz clarinet styles—and he’s frequently cited as a bridge between New Orleans tradition and the next generation of Famous Clarinet Players.

• Why he’s famous: A premier 1920s clarinet stylist with lasting influence on swing-era players.
• Listen for: Silky phrasing and melodic clarity, even at fast tempos.

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Barney Bigard

Barney Bigard’s clarinet work helped define the Duke Ellington sound. His warm tone and fluid lines made him one of the most identifiable voices in classic big band jazz.
Bigard is a must-know name for anyone researching Famous Clarinet Players in the swing-orchestra tradition.

• Why he’s famous: Longtime featured clarinetist with Duke Ellington; signature “woody” tone.
• Listen for: A vocal, lyrical style that blends beautifully with big band textures.

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Buddy DeFranco

Buddy DeFranco is the bebop clarinet hero. When the jazz world moved toward saxophone-led modern styles, DeFranco proved the clarinet could handle the same harmonic speed and complexity.
That’s why he remains one of the most respected Famous Clarinet Players in modern jazz history.

• Why he’s famous: Brought bebop language to clarinet at the highest level.
• Listen for: Fast, clean lines; advanced harmony; saxophone-like bebop phrasing.

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Jimmy Giuffre

Jimmy Giuffre expanded what jazz clarinet could be—often favoring airy textures, counterpoint, and chamber-like interplay.
His work is a reminder that Famous Clarinet Players aren’t only about volume and velocity; they’re also about imagination and space.

• Why he’s famous: Cool-jazz innovator and composer who explored clarinet in small, experimental settings.
• Listen for: Light tone, subtle dynamics, and conversational ensemble playing.

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Eddie Daniels

Eddie Daniels is celebrated for combining jazz fire with classical-level technique. He’s widely admired for making difficult passages sound effortless and for moving between genres without losing his personal sound.
In any modern discussion of Famous Clarinet Players, Daniels represents the “complete musician” approach.

• Why he’s famous: Virtuoso jazz clarinetist with strong classical chops and crossover impact.
• Listen for: Stunning technique, clean articulation, and a highly expressive tone.

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Paquito D’Rivera

Paquito D’Rivera is a major Latin jazz figure who plays both saxophone and clarinet. His clarinet voice brings bright articulation, rhythmic sparkle, and deep Afro-Cuban/Latin phrasing into modern jazz contexts.
For fans exploring Famous Clarinet Players outside the swing tradition, D’Rivera is a key name.

• Why he’s famous: Latin jazz star with multiple major awards; virtuosic, rhythm-forward style.
• Listen for: Precise articulation, joyful phrasing, and dance-driven groove.

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Anat Cohen

Anat Cohen is one of the defining jazz clarinet voices of the 21st century. Her sound is warm, flexible, and deeply melodic—and she’s known for blending straight-ahead jazz with Brazilian choro, swing, and modern influences.
She’s often the first contemporary name people mention when asked about Famous Clarinet Players today.

• Why she’s famous: Leading modern jazz clarinetist with a global, genre-blending approach.
• Listen for: Singing tone, rhythmic elasticity, and lyrical improvisation.

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Don Byron

Don Byron is a modern master who brings clarinet (and bass clarinet) into adventurous territory: avant-garde jazz, klezmer, funk, and more.
If you want a “modern, anything-is-possible” chapter in the story of Famous Clarinet Players, Byron delivers it.

• Why he’s famous: Genre-defying clarinetist and composer with major creative influence.
• Listen for: Wide stylistic range—from tradition to experimental improvisation.

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Evan Christopher

Evan Christopher is closely associated with the “Creole clarinet tradition” and the revival of classic New Orleans clarinet language in modern performance.
He’s a strong example of how Famous Clarinet Players can keep historical styles alive while adding a fresh voice.

• Why he’s famous: Modern champion of traditional New Orleans clarinet style.
• Listen for: Classic swing feel, ornamentation, and lively, danceable phrasing.

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Pete Fountain

Pete Fountain became one of the most recognizable American clarinetists in the Dixieland/traditional-jazz world, with broad mainstream visibility through TV and touring.
He’s an important “popular tradition” entry in the list of Famous Clarinet Players.

• Why he’s famous: Commercially successful traditional-jazz clarinetist with major public visibility.
• Listen for: Big, friendly tone and classic Dixieland phrasing.

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Famous Classical Clarinet Players

In classical music, the clarinet’s golden age is still happening—thanks to superstar soloists, principal players in elite orchestras, and chamber musicians whose recordings travel worldwide.
These Famous Clarinet Players shaped the modern standard for tone, technique, and repertoire.

Anton Stadler

Anton Stadler is the historical “origin story” for many classical clarinet fans: Mozart famously wrote landmark clarinet music for him.
While we don’t have recordings from Stadler’s era, his influence is huge—because he helped establish the clarinet as a serious classical solo instrument.

• Why he’s famous: Closely linked to Mozart’s iconic clarinet works and the early classical clarinet tradition.
• Listen for: Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet (core clarinet repertoire).

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Richard Stoltzman

Richard Stoltzman is one of the most influential American classical clarinetists ever recorded. He brought a singing, emotionally direct style to the concert stage and became a rare “wind superstar,” expanding what audiences expected from the instrument.

• Why he’s famous: Major solo career, award-winning recordings, and broad crossover appeal.
• Listen for: Expressive legato, long-breathed phrasing, and vivid tone color.

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Sabine Meyer

Sabine Meyer is widely regarded as one of the definitive classical clarinet soloists of the modern era. She helped bring clarinet concertos and chamber works to a broader audience through high-profile performances and recordings—and she’s especially known for championing Mozart on basset clarinet.

• Why she’s famous: Iconic international solo career; influential Mozart and chamber interpretations.
• Listen for: Effortless clarity across registers and a highly refined, centered tone.

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Karl Leister

Karl Leister became internationally recognized through his long association with the Berlin Philharmonic and his extensive solo and chamber work.
His playing is often referenced for its poise, classic German sound ideal, and beautiful control.

• Why he’s famous: Legendary orchestral principal and chamber musician; influential recordings.
• Listen for: Round tone, elegant phrasing, and classical balance.

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Martin Fröst

Martin Fröst helped redefine what a “clarinet soloist” can look and sound like in the 21st century. Known for technical brilliance and bold stage presence, he often programs classical repertoire alongside contemporary works and genre-crossing projects.
He’s one of the most visible Famous Clarinet Players performing today.

• Why he’s famous: International star who expands clarinet repertoire and performance style.
• Listen for: Virtuosic control, extreme dynamic range, and modern programming.

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Anthony McGill

Anthony McGill is one of the most prominent American classical clarinetists of his generation. As principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, he brings a powerful solo voice to orchestral repertoire and has become a highly visible performer, educator, and cultural figure.

• Why he’s famous: Leading orchestral principal and soloist; major public presence in classical music.
• Listen for: Rich tone, commanding projection, and refined musical character.

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David Shifrin

David Shifrin is a cornerstone name in American chamber music and clarinet pedagogy. His long-standing leadership in chamber music organizations and collaborations across the classical world make him an essential entry among Famous Clarinet Players for listeners who love quintets, sonatas, and ensemble repertoire.

• Why he’s famous: Elite chamber musician and influential teacher with a major performance legacy.
• Listen for: Nuanced phrasing, blend, and superb musical conversation in ensembles.

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Jack Brymer

Jack Brymer was one of Britain’s most beloved clarinetists, admired for his natural musicianship and communicative warmth.
He’s frequently cited as a leading clarinet voice of his era—an important chapter in the lineage of Famous Clarinet Players in the UK.

• Why he’s famous: Iconic British clarinetist known for tone, style, and broad musical reach.
• Listen for: Gentle flexibility, expressive color, and effortless musical charm.

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Reginald Kell

Reginald Kell was a major English clarinetist known for expressive vibrato and a strong solo career. He also left a teaching legacy, influencing later clarinetists (including notable jazz players).
Kell’s approach remains historically important in the discussion of Famous Clarinet Players and 20th-century clarinet sound ideals.

• Why he’s famous: Influential soloist and teacher; pioneered an expressive vibrato approach.
• Listen for: Vocal-style phrasing and a singing, expressive tone.

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Gervase de Peyer

Gervase de Peyer had a distinguished career as a soloist and principal orchestral clarinetist, including a long tenure as principal clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra.
His work in chamber music and recordings made him a key classical name among Famous Clarinet Players.

• Why he’s famous: Major principal clarinet and chamber musician with significant recordings.
• Listen for: Elegant classical style and refined orchestral sound.

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Michel Portal

Michel Portal is a rare figure who holds serious stature in both classical and jazz worlds. Known for clarinet and saxophone (and adventurous musical choices), Portal represents the European modernist edge of the Famous Clarinet Players universe.

• Why he’s famous: Influential European clarinetist/composer spanning classical, jazz, and avant-garde work.
• Listen for: Fearless style shifts, modern textures, and creative improvisation.

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Julian Bliss

Julian Bliss is a prominent contemporary British clarinetist known for virtuoso solo playing, chamber music, and genre-crossing projects.
He’s also closely associated with building new audiences for the instrument—an increasingly important part of what makes Famous Clarinet Players “famous” today.

• Why he’s famous: Modern virtuoso with strong outreach and high-profile performances.
• Listen for: Brilliant technical clarity and energetic stage presence.

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Famous Clarinet Players in Klezmer & World Music

Klezmer, folk traditions, and regional styles show another reason the clarinet produces Famous Clarinet Players:
it can imitate the human voice—laughing, crying, whispering, and shouting—inside a single phrase.

Giora Feidman

Giora Feidman is one of the most recognizable klezmer clarinetists in the world, often described as “The King of Klezmer.”
His performances helped bring klezmer to international audiences and made the clarinet the emotional lead voice of the genre for many listeners.

• Why he’s famous: Global klezmer ambassador with decades of touring and recording.
• Listen for: Vocal-like bends, expressive ornaments, and deeply emotional phrasing.

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Naftule Brandwein

Naftule Brandwein is a legendary early American klezmer clarinetist and recording artist.
His virtuosic, ornament-rich style remains a key reference point in the klezmer tradition—and a reminder that Famous Clarinet Players shaped cultural history far beyond classical and jazz.

• Why he’s famous: Foundational klezmer stylist with influential early recordings.
• Listen for: Fast ornaments, dramatic slides, and bold improvisational flair.

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Hüsnü ?enlendirici

Hüsnü ?enlendirici is a renowned Turkish clarinet virtuoso whose sound is rooted in the Aegean/Anatolian and Romani musical traditions.
If you want to hear how the clarinet becomes a folk “lead singer,” he’s a powerful addition to any playlist of Famous Clarinet Players.

• Why he’s famous: World-renowned Turkish clarinet voice with a distinctive regional style.
• Listen for: Microtonal inflections, rapid ornaments, and soaring melodic lines.

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Paulo Moura

Paulo Moura was a beloved Brazilian instrumentalist known for clarinet and saxophone across choro, samba, bossa nova, and jazz.
He’s an excellent example of how Famous Clarinet Players can be cultural icons within a country’s popular and classical traditions at once.

• Why he’s famous: Brazilian clarinet legend spanning popular and concert traditions.
• Listen for: Rhythmic brightness, dance feel, and lyrical melodic phrasing.

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Famous Clarinet Players in Pop & Crossover

Some Famous Clarinet Players reached massive audiences through radio-friendly instrumentals, TV themes, and easy-listening hits—proving the clarinet can be a “pop voice” without losing its character.

Acker Bilk

Acker Bilk is best known for “Stranger on the Shore,” one of the most famous clarinet melodies ever recorded.
The tune’s simple, unforgettable lyricism turned clarinet into a mainstream chart sound and remains a gateway track for many new listeners.

• Why he’s famous: Created a global hit clarinet melody recognized far beyond jazz circles.
• Listen for: Pure lyricism, gentle swing, and a warm, singing clarinet sound.

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How to Listen Like a Clarinetist (Fast Track)

Want to get more out of these Famous Clarinet Players—even if you’re not a musician? Use this simple listening checklist:

• Tone & color: Is the sound bright, dark, breathy, pure, reedy, or vocal?
• Articulation: Are attacks crisp (swing) or smooth (classical legato)?
• Register changes: Notice how the player connects low (chalumeau) to high (clarion/altissimo).
• Time feel: In jazz, listen for swing placement and rhythmic “bounce.”
• Phrasing: In classical, listen for long lines, breath planning, and dynamic shaping.

Why Famous Clarinet Players Matter

The most Famous Clarinet Players don’t just entertain—they shape what the clarinet is.
They influence instrument design, pedagogy, repertoire choices, and even what beginners imagine is possible.
When you explore their recordings and performances, you’re also exploring the clarinet’s full identity: lyrical and wild, elegant and earthy, traditional and experimental.

Whether your goal is to find new listening favorites or to improve your own playing, studying Famous Clarinet Players is the fastest way to understand tone, style, and musical storytelling on the instrument.

FAQ: Famous Clarinet Players