From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall

Clarinetist David Singer’s biography, FROM CAB DRIVER TO CARNEGIE HALL is a delightful mix of musical detail and life experience. As a young Jewish boy in the 1950’s, with parents and family members who escaped the horrors or World War II, he suffers from their trauma which often turns abusive. At the same time, his aptitude for music, especially the clarinet, opens new doors. He fell in love, married, made tough decisions in favor of his family, and cobbled together jobs to pay the bills while working on his music. That paved the way for performing for Presidents Carter and Clinton, and working with pianist Rudolf Serkin. Singer’s style is conversational and engaging. While he doesn’t shy away from the more disturbing incidents in his life, neither does he define himself by them. The love of music shines through, and the daily details of rehearsals, individual practice, performance, and building a life both in and out of the musical world are beautifully rendered. The details of his international adventures and his expressive curiosity shine, and the behind-the-scenes anecdotes are fascinating. The memoir FROM CAB DRIVER TO CARNEGIE HALL is energetic, clever, and informative.