Joseph Darensbourg Dies; Considered Top Clarinetist

Joseph Darensbourg, a clarinetist who played on boats cruising the Mississippi River in the 1920s and later performed with Kid Ory and Louis Armstrong, has died in Los Angeles. He was 78 and had suffered a stroke several weeks ago.

Darensbourg, who also headed Dixieland groups in Los Angeles and elsewhere, was best known individually for his 1957 recording of “Yellow Dog Blues.” But to Armstrong and other band and combo leaders, he was considered one of the best low-register clarinetists in the music business.

After leaving the river, Darensbourg joined Ory in 1944 and then Armstrong in 1961. He performed often in Europe and at American jazz festivals in Newport, Monterey, Sacramento and New Orleans.

Darensbourg, who died last Friday, is survived by his wife, Helen.