About Licorice Stick Jazz

The Mission

We continue to make the world a more beautiful place through the unique sound of the jazz clarinet.

Usually, when we consider musicians using woodwind instruments to play jazz, we automatically think of the saxophone. Whether it’s the stormy tenor of John Coltrane, the fiery alto of Charlie Parker, the mellow baritone of Gerry Mulligan, or (dare I say!) the smooth soprano of Kenny G, the saxophone dominates the collective mindset when we think of the jazz woodwind. And, let’s face it, there’s good reason for this. The saxophone has dominated the market. It’s a brilliant horn that comes in many sizes (and sometimes different shapes) and is one of the most versatile acoustic instruments ever created.

But enough about our illustrious saxophone cousins… This page is dedicated to the jazz clarinet and jazz clarinetists.

The clarinet has played a historically viable role in jazz’s past, plays a role in jazz’s present, and will continue to play a role in jazz’s future. The goal of Licorice Stick Jazz is to uphold the cause of the clarinet and the clarinetist, to be able to point to this magnificent instrument (not to mention the bass clarinet, alto clarinet, and other clarinets besides the standard B♭ soprano) and say, “Wow, listen to that!”

Here you will find a resource growing before your eyes for appreciating the clarinet in jazz music, our beloved “licorice stick.”