Bob Wilber interviewed by Monk Rowe, Clinton, New York, May 22, 1998 [transcript]

Table of Contents: Biography -- Starting musical career at swing/Bop transition -- Reissues revealed jazz roots/Louis Armstrong -- Early bop : servicemen antagonistic towards Bird and Diz at a club -- Bechet, Armstrong and Jelly Roll : inventors of swing -- Getting first clarinet -- Early jam sessions : "Kid Wilber" -- 52nd street/Seeing Hawk/Staying all night in Greenwich Village -- Telling his father about his passion for music -- Ellington premiere of "Black, brown and beige" -- Wildcats : first recording -- Difference between Wildcats and Chicago sound -- Mature attitude towards mastery of a new instrument --Bechet no-show for '47 town hall concert -- Bechet's place in jazz history/As teacher : "You've got to tell a story" -- Frustration with formulaic bebop and Dixieland/Study with Lenny Tristano and Lee Konitz -- The six : traditional mixed with bebop -- Economic/educational necessity of doing tribute shows -- American vs. European culture -- First big band arranging -- Benny Goodman -- Soprano styles : Bechet, Coltrane, Kenny G -- About "Singing the blues" piece for film "Bix" -- Bechet's "Cake walking babies": Mastered at the wrong speed -- Summit reunion recording/Discussion of Johnny Hodges as Bechet's student -- New project of Goodman arrangements that were never recorded.