Famous Clarinetists of the World — From Classical to Jazz
With its warm timbre and wide range, the clarinet is a highly popular instrument across many genres, including concert band, classical, and jazz.
Another hallmark of the clarinet is its versatility: it adapts to a variety of performance settings, from ensembles to solo playing.
Many people may have first learned of the instrument through the well-known children’s song “I Broke My Clarinet.”
In this article, we’ve gathered notable clarinetists from around the world who are active in classical and jazz.
Read on, and the clarinet might start to feel even more familiar to you.
- [2026] Summary of popular saxophonists abroad. Recommended saxophonists.
- Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- Classic Dixieland jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- [Saxophone] Recommended practice songs for saxophone beginners: Famous tunes you’ll want to try playing
- Famous Japanese saxophonists
- Today's Jazz: Tunes for today! A selection of timeless classics and contemporary jazz
- Songs with cool trumpet. Introducing famous pieces from wind ensemble and jazz.
- Trumpet Masterpieces | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! A Curated Selection of Striking Pieces
- Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Recommended pieces for a wind band contest
- Famous Flutists of the World: Introducing Captivating, Breathtaking Masterpieces That Enthrall Audiences
- Popular classical piano pieces. A collection of masterful performances by Japanese pianists.
- Masterpieces for flute. Recommended pieces where the flute shines.
Famous Clarinetists of the World — From Classical to Jazz (1–10)
Flowers Will Bloom / Yoko KannoFujii Kazuo
Kazuo Fujii is a leading clarinetist whom Japan proudly claims, active both domestically and internationally.
In addition to his illustrious career as a performer, he has energetically devoted himself to nurturing the next generation—producing clarinet ensembles such as “Tokyo 007” and “Revolution,” and organizing academies and workshops.
He has also made major contributions to the history of the clarinet in Japan, including the development of a new reed, the “Dream Reed.” His daughters, Kaori and Yuko Fujii, are accomplished musicians who showcase their talents on flute and piano, respectively, and their family and sister ensemble performances delight audiences.
In 1979, Mr.
Fujii founded the Tokyo Clarinet Ensemble, bringing together Japanese clarinetists and releasing numerous works under that name.
Be sure to check out this body of recordings, which lets you fully savor the clarinet’s beautiful, rich tone.
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 74 / Carl Maria von WeberDaniel Ottensamer
Daniel Ottensamer, a member of a distinguished musical family—his late father Ernst Ottensamer was a legendary clarinetist, and his younger brother Andreas is the principal clarinet of the Berlin Philharmonic—is himself a world-renowned, top-tier clarinetist.
Serving as principal clarinet of the Vienna Philharmonic and known for projects such as the family-formed clarinet ensemble “The Clarinotts,” Daniel has continued to broaden his career, releasing his first solo album in 2015, slightly after his brother Andreas.
With exceptional technique and taste, he continues to captivate classical music fans.
Daniel also performs with Philharmonix, an ensemble comprising members of the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics, whose sound ventures beyond classical into crossover territory with jazz, swing, and folk influences.
The group has earned high acclaim, including winning an Opus Klassik award in 2018.
Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622 / Wolfgang Amadeus MozartPatrick Messina
Patrick Messina is a clarinetist from France.
Immersed in music from a young age and trained at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, he was selected as a scholarship recipient of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation in 1992.
In 1996, he began his career at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
In 2003, he was appointed principal clarinet of the Orchestre National de France and has since performed with leading orchestras around the world.
He is also active in chamber music, frequently collaborating with globally renowned artists such as members of the Berlin Philharmonia Quartet.
His performances are not to be missed.
World-Famous Clarinetists: From Classical to Jazz (11–20)
Burgundy Street Blues／George LewisGeorge Lewis
George Lewis, a clarinetist born of New Orleans—the holy land of jazz—exerted a tremendous influence on subsequent New Orleans jazz musicians.
Said to have loved music from childhood, Lewis never received formal lessons and mastered his instrument entirely on his own.
Active before the war as a member of bands and ensembles, he even made it to Japan late in life, drawing large audiences.
For aficionados of New Orleans jazz, he is a household name; his innate sense of rhythm and melodies tinged with a pathos that particularly appeals to Japanese listeners make his music enjoyable even for those who aren’t especially interested in jazz.
A live album capturing the aforementioned Japan performances has also been released, so if this piques your interest, be sure to check it out.
Sonata for clarinet soloSebastian Manz
Sebastian Manz was born into a family of musicians: his grandfather was a violinist and his parents are pianists.
In 2008, he won first prize at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, which is famous for rarely awarding first place—the first time in 40 years that the top prize was given.
That alone speaks to how exceptional he is.
Since then, he has been one of the most popular performers among young classical musicians.
Listening to his richly varied tone and expressive power draws you into his world.
He’s definitely a performer to keep an eye on.
Air on the G String / Johann Sebastian BachRichard Stoltzman
Richard Stoltzman, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is known as one of the most celebrated clarinetists in contemporary classical music.
He has performed with countless orchestras and as a soloist, leaving behind an extensive discography.
By engaging in crossover projects that transcend the conventional boundaries of classical music—embracing jazz, Latin, pop, and contemporary music—he has greatly expanded the possibilities of the clarinet.
A two-time Grammy Award winner, he remains an undisputed world-class soloist and a trailblazer who continues to perform actively well into the 2020s.
In 2012, he married Japanese marimbist Mika Yoshida, and together they perform as Richard & Mika Stoltzman.
The duo has been energetically releasing works across genres, including pure classical pieces as well as jazz.
Whether you are a classical aficionado or a jazz enthusiast, be sure to experience Stoltzman’s exceptional artistry as a master clarinetist.
Someday Sweetheart／John and Reb SpikesWoody Herman
Known for the Woody Herman Orchestra, he first took the stage as a vaudeville singer in childhood and began performing as a saxophonist at 15.
His life is fascinating not only as a clarinetist but also for his ingenuity in running a big band.
“Four Brothers,” which spotlights the sax section and is known to every jazz aficionado, was a hit for his band.
To keep the band going, he steered it through a variety of styles over the years.
It’s fun to listen along chronologically.