About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

Jazz-classical fusion is almost always a bad idea. Or, more precisely, it's almost always a good idea that almost never gets executed well (apologies to Gunther Schuller). The problem is that so many wind players are adept at both styles that they almost invariably decide to mix them up at some point in their careers, and the results are usually embarrassing. Top-notch jazz clarinetists Eddie Daniels and Larry Combs have avoided that trap by juxtaposing the two disciplines on a single album program, rather than trying to mix them together like an ill-advised stew. And for them, the idea works beautifully. Crossing the Line opens with an obscure but gorgeous piece for clarinet duo and string quintet by the 19th century Italian composer Amilcare Ponchielli, then veers off into a brief snippet of duo improvisation before settling into a four-part set of clarinet duos by Ignaz Pleyel, which is followed by another brief improvisation. That pattern repeats until the end, with modern and classical pieces alternating with brief improvisations until the end, when Combs and Daniels play a straight four-tune set of jazz standards with a conventional quintet. Their "legit" chops are every bit as impressive as their jazz playing, and everything on this album is a mellifluous joy. Very highly recommended. Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

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