Alphonse Picou was a pioneering New Orleans musician present at the inception of jazz as it emerged from ragtime, semi-classical, and funeral marching band music among other sources. Here he plays “High Society”, his solo in it being famous and often repeated. Another example of his playing is this 1940 selection. In a 1949 recorded interview, Picou explains “hot” and “creative” jazz by reference to the William Tell Overture. Picou influenced Johnny Dodds and Jimmy Noone on clarinet, who in turn influenced such clarinetists as Benny Goodman. Some history of jazz clarinet is here. This source explains the free market development of the clarinet itself by instrument-makers of the 19th century such as the Buffet family and company in France, which is still in operation.

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