Vincent J. (Jimmy) Abato

A counterpart to the recent article on Vincent J. (Jimmy) Abato published in the June 2008 issue of The Clarinet, a web site created by Adam Michlin pays homage to the exceptional clarinetist, bass clarinetist, and saxophonist. As a performer and teacher who inspired many, Abato was celebrated for his bass clarinet playing in the New York Metropolitan Opera, his classical saxophone recordings, and his career as a teacher of clarinet and saxophone at Julliard. Tributes to Abato in Michlin's web site include a reprint of the June article and additional narratives by friends and former students -- showing just how dearly he was admired and cherished by those around him. The site also contains audio files, which provide a modest sample of his talent on both clarinet and saxophone, and Michlin has collected various images of Abato that offer viewers a glimpse into his world. Vincent J. Abato (1919-2008) undoubtedly left a tremendous mark on the musical world of clarinetists and saxophonists alike.