Julian Milkis, Clarinetist

The Original King of Swing

Dive into the enchanting musical world of Benny Goodman, the American Clarinetist and Bandleader known as the “King of Swing.” Hear the swinging tunes made by and for Benny Goodman, as played by his one and only pupil, acclaimed Ukrainian-born Clarinetist Julian Milkis. Milkis will share personal stories about Maestro Goodman and play Goodman’s favorite tunes that have a killer swing beat! Accompanied by the internationally acclaimed Ukrainian Pianist Maxim Lubarsky and his Trio. The concert will feature traditional jazz and classical music from Benny Goodman’s repertoire, as well as some selections from his world-famous concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938.

With a unique, branded sound, a virtuosic technical ease and a musical imagination that has captivated critics and audiences alike around the world, Julian Milkis carries the rare honor of being the only student of the clarinet legend Benny Goodman. Mr. Milkis' unique interpretations and artistry have earned him an international stature of a dazzling soloist, chamber musician, recitalist and jazz clarinetist, with performances at principal venues of virtually every continent, including the Far East, Europe and the Americas.  His numerous solo appearances include The Toronto Symphony, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, L'Orchestre Nationale de Lyon, L'Orchestre Colonne, L'Orchestre Symphonique Francaise, KBS
Symphony of Seoul, Korea are only some of the symphony orchestras that featured Julian Milkis as their soloist on some of the world's most prominent stages in New York's Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Salle Pleyel, Salle Gaveau in Paris, Roy Thomson Hall and Weston Recital Hall
in Toronto, National Concert Hall in Taipei, and many others across the Eastern Europe. Aside from being an established solo artist, Julian Milkis is a sought-after chamber musician, having collaborated with some of today's leading artists including Yuri Bashmet, Misha Maisky, Alexander Rudin, Polina Osetinskaya, the Borodin String Quartet and the St. Lawrence String Quartet, to name a few. A multifaced musician, Mr. Milkis is one of the leading voices for his instrument in the field of Jazz. His treasured collaboration with the jazz pianist Dick Hyman - Benny Goodman's old bandmate, who has transcribed a number of King of Swing's classics for Julian, and recently dedicated Ragtime Concerto for him – provides a rare and genuine insight into the golden era of Jazz.
With an extensive amount of music written for him, including a number of concertos, Julian Milkis has had the honor of working with iconic music personalities, such as Giya Kancheli, Olivier Messiaen, and Mieczyslaw Weinberg. Mr. Milkis has recorded for Melodiya, Warner Classics' Lontano, the French Suoni e Colori, Sony's division CEAUX, and Brilliant Classics.
Julian Milkis performs exclusively on Yamaha Clarinets and Rico reeds. His sell-out tours of recent years included a South American tour with Sinfonia Toronto to Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay.
For several decades, Julian has been a great advocate of Canadian music. Numerous public performances and recordings around the world have been sponsored and supported by Canada Council. Recently, Julian Milkis became the recipient of the very prestigious title of the Knight of
Honour of Maltese Order, St. John Grand Priory.