Considered the top soloist with the influential Casa Loma Orchestra in the early 1930's, Clarence Hutchenrider was a well-respected jazz player who was content to mostly be a sideman throughout his prime years. Hutchenrider started playing clarinet and saxophone when he was 14 and led his own band in high school. After freelancing locally and in the Midwest (including with Jack Gardner, Dick Richardson, Claiborne Bryson, Ross Gorman, Tommy Tucker, Merle Jacobs and Austin Wylie), he became a longtime member of the Casa Loma Orchestra (1931-43), appearing on virtually all of their most important records including "Casa Loma Stomp," "No Name Jive" and "Smoke Rings." His post-Casa Loma years were mostly spent in obscurity. Hutcherider worked for three years with Jimmy Lytell's group on ABC radio. A lung ailment forced him to retire for a bit although he was back playing in the 1950's, primarily in little-known Dixieland bands and for a long stretch with his own trio. In the 1970's and 80's he was often part of Vince Giardano's various revival groups. In the early 1960's Clarence Hutchenrider led his only album, a Dixielandoriented quartet date for the Aamco label. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi