Larry Combs

Larry Combs is an American clarinetist.

Related Topics:
American - Clarinetist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He played clarinet with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and the Santa Fe Opera before joining the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1974. He was appointed principal clarinet for the CSO by Sir Georg Solti in 1978. He has appeared as a soloist with the orchestra on many occasions.

Related Topics:
Clarinet - New Orleans Symphony Orchestra - Montreal Symphony Orchestra - Santa Fe Opera - Georg Solti

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He is also a founding member of the Chicago Chamber Musicians. He has performed Brahms' Trio in A minor with Daniel Barenboim and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and has appeared at the Ravinia Festival with its music director, Christoph Eschenbach. Other appearances have been with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Smithsonian Chamber Players.

Related Topics:
Chicago Chamber Musicians - Brahms - Daniel Barenboim - Yo-Yo Ma - Ravinia Festival - Christoph Eschenbach - Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center - Smithsonian Chamber Players

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Combs is also a jazz afficianado. His Combs-Novak Sextet is one of the headliners at the 1999 Chicago Jazz Festival; he cut an album with jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels, called "Crossing the Line"; and the Chicago Reader's Ted Shen wrote that he is "a Benny Goodman-like chameleon who can execute breathtaking arabesques and add a touch of eloquence to the plainest phrase."

Related Topics:
Jazz - Combs-Novak Sextet - Chicago Jazz Festival - Clarinetist - Eddie Daniels - Chicago Reader

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He is a clinician for the G. Leblanc company, which makes a Larry Combs model clarinet, and for the Woodwind company, which makes a Larry Combs model clarinet mouthpiece.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He is married to Gail Williams, a French horn player and fellow member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Related Topics:
Gail Williams - French horn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was awarded his second Grammy Award in 2002 for his recording of Richard Strauss' Duett-Concertino for clarinet and bassoon, strings and harp.

Related Topics:
Grammy Award - Richard Strauss

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The above biographical information is printed here with the permission of Larry Combs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~