Beloved teacher, clarinetist, and bandleader Don Cantwell celebrated his 100th birthday with 100 friends, family, and past and current students at Unity Hall in Barneveld, New York. His jazz band, the Clef Dwellers (a group including his alumni students and other prominent local musicians), accompanied Don on the clarinet as they performed traditional jazz tunes and other old favorites. Don was featured soloist on “Memories of You” and “When You’re Smiling.” He introduced “Memories of You” with a personal story about hearing Benny Goodman play the tune in New York in 1942. It was a life changing experience for him. Ever the teacher, Don couldn’t help giving those assembled a lesson in “Diaphragmatic Breathing,” his key to being a top musician and performer.
Don Cantwell’s studio is filled with signed photos of many great jazz musicians including Clark Terry, Herb Pomeroy, and Phil Wilson to name a few. Over the years he has brought many top performers into the Whitesboro High School for music clinics with his students. As music director for Whitesboro, he was responsible for a continuous series of award-winning Stage/Jazz big bands, which in turn inspired many students to become professional musicians and educators. His accomplishments have been widely acknowledged: Don was ch
