The clarinet – a single reed woodwind – originated near the close of the 17th century. It arose from the need for an instrument to play the high classical passages with which valveless trumpets of the era struggled. Its use has been smoothly adapted from classical to jazz, pop, and folk music genres. Its soft, melodious sound can – in the right hands – have a definite “edge”. The clarinet’s velvet timbre rarely fails to make a deep emotional connection with listeners. From Anton Stadler whose use of it is said to have moved Mozart to compose, to Benny Goodman who rocked the big band era with it, the clarinet has proven it is here to stay!