Barney Bigard was a legendary jazz clarinetist best known for his long tenure with Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Born in 1906 in New Orleans, he grew up immersed in the city's rich musical culture and went on to become a key figure in early jazz. His smooth, expressive clarinet playing added a distinctive voice to Ellington’s sound from the 1920s through the 1940s. After leaving Ellington’s band, Bigard played with Louis Armstrong’s All-Stars and led his own groups, cementing his legacy as one of jazz’s great clarinetists. His recordings, including classics like "Mood Indigo," continue to be celebrated by jazz fans worldwide.
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