Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy-fantasy film directed by Woody Allen and starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, and Kathy Bates.
The film follows Gil Pender, a screenwriter who travels to Paris with his fiancée’s family and finds himself transported back to the 1920s every night at midnight.
The film features an impressive supporting cast, including Tom Hiddleston, Marion Cotillard, and Adrien Brody, and showcases the vibrant jazz scene of 1920s Paris.
One of the most memorable aspects of Midnight in Paris is its use of music, particularly jazz.
The film features a number of classic jazz tunes from the likes of Louis Armstrong and Cole Porter, as well as modern-day musicians covering some of those old tunes.
However, one question that has often been asked by viewers is who played the clarinet in the film’s opening scene.
While Woody Allen is known for his love of jazz and his own clarinet playing, it was not him who played the clarinet in Midnight in Paris. Instead, the melodious clarinet tune was played by Sidney Bechet, one of Allen’s favorite clarinetists, and the song was called “Si tu vois ma mère.”
Midnight in Paris: A Brief Overview
Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen.
The movie is set in Paris and follows the story of Gil Pender, a disillusioned Hollywood screenwriter played by Owen Wilson.
Gil is on a tense trip to Paris with his gorgeous fiancée Inez and her parents, but he finds himself mysteriously going back in time each night at midnight.
The film explores themes of nostalgia, the allure of the past, and the beauty of the city of Paris. It features a star-studded cast, including Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, and Kathy Bates. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was a commercial success, grossing over $150 million worldwide.
Midnight in Paris also showcases the jazz music of the 1920s, with a particular focus on the clarinet. The film’s soundtrack features several jazz classics, including “Si Tu Vois Ma Mere” by Sidney Bechet and “Nagasaki” by Django Reinhardt.
The clarinet is played by several characters in the film, including Adrian Brody’s Salvador Dali, who performs a surreal and humorous rendition of “Carnival of the Animals.” However, the identity of the clarinet player in Midnight in Paris remains a mystery.
Despite the mystery, the film’s use of jazz and the clarinet adds to its romantic and nostalgic atmosphere. Woody Allen has a long-standing appreciation for jazz music, and it has been a recurring theme in many of his films.
Overall, Midnight in Paris is a charming and whimsical film that captures the magic of Paris and the allure of the past. Its use of jazz music and the clarinet adds to its romantic and nostalgic atmosphere, making it a must-watch for fans of Woody Allen and jazz music alike.
The Clarinetist in Midnight in Paris
In Woody Allen’s 2011 film “Midnight in Paris,” the opening scene features a beautiful rendition of “Si Tu Vois Ma Mère” on the clarinet.
The music was performed by the late, great Sidney Bechet, a jazz clarinetist and composer.
The Role of Cole Porter
While Bechet’s clarinet playing sets the tone for the film, the character of Cole Porter is also a significant presence in “Midnight in Paris.” Porter was a famous composer and songwriter during the 1920s and 1930s, and his music is featured prominently in the film.
The Role of Josephine Baker
Another notable figure from the 1920s and 1930s who appears in “Midnight in Paris” is Josephine Baker. Baker was an American-born French entertainer who became famous for her singing, dancing, and acting. In the film, she is portrayed by Sonia Rolland.
It is worth noting that while both Cole Porter and Josephine Baker are portrayed by actors in the film, the clarinet playing is performed by the real-life musician Sidney Bechet. This adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film’s portrayal of 1920s Paris.
Overall, the use of music in “Midnight in Paris” is one of the film’s most memorable and effective elements. The clarinet playing of Sidney Bechet, along with the music of Cole Porter and Josephine Baker, helps to transport the audience back in time to the romantic and glamorous Paris of the 1920s and 1930s.
The Music in Midnight in Paris
Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy film directed by Woody Allen. The film is set in 1920s Paris and features a variety of jazz tunes and popular songs that are generally associated with the film’s setting. The music in Midnight in Paris was scored with vintage recordings from the ’20s and ’30s, as well as modern-day musicians covering some of those old tunes.
The Jazz Tunes
The jazz tunes in Midnight in Paris are an essential part of the film’s ambiance and reflect the cultural scene of Paris in the 1920s. The film’s soundtrack includes jazz standards such as “Si Tu Vois Ma Mère” by Sidney Bechet, “La Conga Blicoti” by Josephine Baker, and “You’ve Got That Thing” by Cole Porter.
The Musicians
The musicians who played the jazz tunes in Midnight in Paris are some of the most celebrated performers of the genre.
The film’s score features vintage recordings from legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Sidney Bechet.
The soundtrack also includes modern-day musicians covering some of those old tunes, such as Conal Fowkes, who played the clarinet in the film.
Conal Fowkes is an American jazz pianist and clarinetist who has performed with many renowned jazz musicians.
In Midnight in Paris, he played the clarinet on several tracks, including “You’ve Got That Thing” and “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love).
His performance on the tracks is a testament to his skill as a musician and his ability to capture the essence of the era.
The clarinet, an instrument that was popular in jazz and ragtime music during the 1920s, is an essential part of the film’s soundtrack.
The clarinet solos in “Si Tu Vois Ma Mère” and “La Conga Blicoti” are particularly notable, showcasing the instrument’s versatility and expressive range.
The soprano saxophone, another popular instrument in jazz and ragtime music, is also featured in the film’s score.
In conclusion, the music in Midnight in Paris is a vital component of the film’s ambiance and reflects the cultural scene of 1920s Paris. The jazz tunes and musicians featured in the film’s score are some of the most celebrated performers of the genre and capture the essence of the era. The clarinet, an instrument popular in jazz and ragtime music during the 1920s, is an essential part of the film’s soundtrack and is played beautifully by Conal Fowkes.