The Chicago Tribune has reported the death of clarinettist Buddy DeFranco, who died on Christmas Eve in Florida aged 91.

DeFranco’s recording career went back to the late-1940s the clarinettist going on to lead sessions that saw him play in the company of Art Blakey, Harry Sweets Edison, Herbie Mann and many more. He won some 20 Downbeat Awards among his honours over the years, becoming an NEA jazz master in 2006.

The Camden, New Jersey-born player who was raised in Philadelphia by 14 was already making his mark as a clarinettist appearing on the Saturday Night Swing Club with Gene Krupa later hired by the star drummer. After the war DeFranco joined the Basie septet, in the 1960s becoming leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Buddy DeFranco, above. Photo: Verve