One of the brightest of the New Orleans-based clarinetists to emerge during the 1990s, Tim Laughlin has made a strong impression on the trad jazz scene. He started playing clarinet when he was nine and, other than doubling on alto a bit in high school, he has stuck to clarinet throughout his career and considers his main influence to be Pete Fountain. Tim Laughlin had several opportunities to tour Europe (most notably Germany) in the late '90s, has been an important part of the New Orleans jazz scene (including several years with the Dukes of Dixieland) and led recording sessions for Good Time Jazz and Jazzology; two dates finds him matching wits with fellow clarinetists Jack Maheu and Tom Fischer. ~ Scott Yanow