Woody Allen Has Second Life As Jazz Clarinetist

At the end of his quasi-autobiographical “Stardust Memories,” Woody Allen is lying on an operating table, desperately looking for something to give his life meaning.

He recalls the perfect romantic afternoon spent listening to Louis Armstrong, “music that I grew up loving.”

The actor-director has a passion for jazz. Allen has used jazz pianist Dick Hyman for his soundtracks, as well as vintage jazz recordings selected from his vast record collection.

Allen has a second life as a New Orleans-style jazz clarinetist.

The 60-year-old Allen, who took up clarinet as a teenager, still practices every day. For the past 25 years, he has played Monday nights with a traditional jazz band at Michael’s Pub in Manhattan.

As Allen has put together a group that plays the authentic New Orleans style - with its emphasis on ensemble playing over individual solos - he has shed his shyness over taking his music public.

In 1993, MusicMasters released “The Bunk Project” - which derives its name from New Orleans trumpeter Bunk Johnson. Allen listed himself as a sideman, even though he chose the 14 mostly blues and strut numbers.

Earlier this year, Allen’s New Orleans Jazz Band toured Europe, playing to enthusiastic, sold-out crowds at Paris’ Olympia Theater, London’s Royal Festival Hall and Italian opera houses.

Allen, in his self-deprecating manner, has described himself as “a pretty terrible musician.” But that’s bunk, says veteran banjoist Eddy Davis, the band’s musical director.

“He really knows how good he is, and to be truthful, he is one of the best on his instrument in that style of jazz,” said Davis. “Probably what would surprise people the most about Woody is how sincere he is. He continually says that if he had his way in life, he would have given up all the filmmaking to play the clarinet.”