Pittsburgh is a serious jazz town–and this musical fact didn’t escape one bow-tied visitor from our own jazz-worthy state. Pittsburgh cabdriver and jazz clarinetist Darryl Cann told the story about the visitor to a Q reporter who also happened to land in the back seat of Cann’s cab on a recent trip.
A few weeks earlier, Cann was riffing for that bow-tied passenger. (“I play my clarinet as much as possible when I’m driving,” Cann said, “but only when it’s safe.”)
“Hey, I see you play the old licorice stick,” the passenger said.
“I knew the gentleman was a jazz fan when he mentioned the term `licorice stick,'” Cann said. “Then I looked in the rear-view mirror, noticed the bow tie and glasses and realized it was Sen. Simon.”
Cann and former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, in town to speak at the Duquesne University School of Law, discussed their favorite musicians and the history of Pittsburgh jazz.
Cann teaches children’s jazz workshops and leads a local band with frequent gigs. He also plays the saxophone and flute. Driving a taxi several days a week helps pay the bills and provides practice time, whether it is waiting for riders or sneaking in “(Up a) Lazy River” or “Dream a Little Dream” while en route.
“I only play on straightaways,” Cann said.