We still have to overcome the notion that a clarinet squeaks. People need to remember what a beautiful instrument it is, including in popular music.

Clarinet is an incredible instrument. It's a great, expressive instrument.

Some old people, they remember that they used to play clarinet, and they remember the squeaks of the clarinet. But I don't play like that.

Popular music usually has a chorus that needs to repeat, and people need to remember the song. That's sort of the major guideline when you're writing a song.

Clarinet is often associated with certain genres, like swing or folk music. I combine the old and new, using the clarinet as an expressive tool and not in one genre. I'm just happy that people are drawn to what I do.

It really is, to see that this kind of music is still so popular.