A clarinetist (sometimes also spelt clarinettist) is a musician who plays the clarinet. Many clarinetists also play the saxophone, and are therefore also saxophonists.
The most common contexts for clarinetists are:
1) With Classical Orchestras
Some important classical clarinetists
- Jack Brymer
- Michael Collins
- Larry Combs
- Thea King
- Sabine Meyer
- Gervaise de Peyer
- Richard Stoltzman
- Frederick Thurston
- Anton Stadler for whom Mozart wrote his clarinet quintet.
Some important jazz clarinetists:
- Sidney Bechet
- Barney Bigard
- Raymond Burke
- Evan Christopher
- Eddie Daniels
- Johnny Dodds
- Irving Fazola
- Benny Goodman who also gave some remarkable classical music performances
- Edmond Hall
- Jimmy Noone
- Artie Shaw
- Larry Shields
- Omer Simeon
- Pee Wee Russell