Renowned Clarinetist to Play National Theater Tonight

Tonight only, renowned jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels will join La Big Band de Costa Rica, directed by conductor Humberto Vaglio, and trombonist Ego Rietmann at the National Theater in San José, for an evening of swing, jazz and Latin music.

Daniels is considered by many to be on a par with the legendary Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, and is one of the top musicians to come out of the 20th century, according to a recent statement by La Big Band, a group of Tico musicians that has been playing jazz big band style in Costa Rica since 1989 (www.labigband.com).

Daniels started the clarinet at age 13, and began his professional career as a saxophonist with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1966. That same year, he spontaneously jumped a plane to Vienna, Austria, entered the International Competition for Modern Jazz and left with first prize. The musician further revealed his skill and versatility when he was awarded Downbeat Magazine’s International Critics New Star on Clarinet award. Since then, Daniels has gone on to win numerous Grammy awards and is revered today for revolutionizing the blend of jazz and classical styles, according to the musician’s Web site (www.eddie danielsclarinet.com/bio).

Tonight’s performance at 8 p.m. will feature a variety of rhythms and epochs in true big band style, with pieces from Bach, Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker and others, as well as Costa Rica’s own Vinicio Meza.

Ticket prices range from ¢2,500-13,000 ($4.80-25). For tickets and information, call the National Theater at 221-1329 or visit www.teatronacional.go.cr.