Dr. Everett Lynn, the Wind Behind the Woodwind
Text by Polly Kolstad | Photography by Nicole Keintz
Dr. Everett Lynn, a ninety-two year old clarinetist makes music wherever he goes.
Whatever you’re looking for, when a clear eyed gentleman answers the door in a blue “Last Chance Dixieland Jazz Band” shirt, you know you are in for some music.
With a broad expecting smile, that’s Dr. Everett Lynn. The pleasure and novelty of the afternoon is his. After all, Dr. Lynn, a lifelong clarinetist and dentist emeritus, has climbed the ladder of life to ninety-two.
He leads through his house filled with memorabilia: pictures festooned with music honors and medals; dental awards for Distinguished Service to Organized Dentistry to the People of Montana; the piano stacked with “sheet music.” No, that’s what he calls “lead music.” What you read from when playing with a symphony, orchestra, band, or jazz ensemble. He’s played in all of them. But he doesn’t necessarily toot his own horn. He’s just ready to sit at the kitchen table and relate an amazing and ambitious long life.
Born in 1923 in Wabasso, (that’s “rabbit” he interjects, in the Sioux language) Minnesota, his mother was a soprano, introducing him to music early on. Everett played the piano at age six, and picked up the B flat clarinet when he was ten years old.
It was like the Pied Piper arriving in the sphere of music that came from listening to 78 records on the phonograph both at home and at school.
He was constantly trying to factor “thoughts, runs, licks into his head; the subliminal desire to play music,” he recalls. “Wood shedding,” which he explains meant practicing as much as life allowed.
All that wood shedding delivered master experience and a collection of clarinets that he continues to play: a student model B flat; a 1936 French Henri Selmer; a Buffett; and a Leblanc 300.
The long hours with the clarinet brought recognition early on. In high school he was selected to perform at the University of Minnesota graduation dinner. He played the Flight of the Bumble Bee in fifty-seven seconds.
Whether he is playing with an ensemble, band, orchestra, or symphony, Dr. Lynn’s toe tapping melodies keep audiences moving to the beat.
In a different key, he had “the audacity of youth” with diploma in hand in 1950 to come to Helena, Montana. From there on, the pace picked up tooth and woodwind as he practiced dentistry for forty-two years, with the licorice stick always in hand ready to play
He says he is a grass roots player with two percent genius and ninety-eight percent perspiration.
Notably, he is a legend having performed all over the northwest.
Over the years, he has been heard in more than one musical genre: he has played with the Navy Swing Band, the Helena Symphony (principal clarinetist), a polka band, a German band, the Algeria Shrine Band (60 yrs), the Helena Elks Club, the Big Sky Syncopators Jazz Orchestra, the Bruce Thompson Combo at the Montana Club, the Queen City Swing Band, and for twenty-five years with the Last Chance Dixieland Jazz Band. In 1983 with Don West, he organized the Dixieland Band Jazz Festival.
Six years ago the Last Chance Dixieland Jazz Band performed on Erik Funk’s 11th & Grand PBS program.
“It was a shining moment for us,” he says. “We cut a CD and a video.”
Heralding the event, he quickly recalls the members of the band: Don Stone, Jim Andler, Wally Stromberg, Don West, and Jack Taylor, some of whom he still jams with.
Dr. Lynn’s long time acquaintance with Don Stone began when the Last Chance Dixieland Jazz Band formed in 1983.
“Ev is an excellent friend, incredibly thoughtful guy, very caring and good hearted, intelligent, well read, and a history buff. He is a brilliant clarinetist, good musician, fine soloist, so active for a man of his years. Music binds us together.”
That fine harmony seems to be present throughout his music world.
Dr. Lynn is a familiar figure on stage at Rex Rieke’s fall jazz event as musicians from all over are invited to come and play where groups form on the spot.
“He is a long time friend and musical partner, says Rieke. “Whenever I want to know something about the musical past in Helena, I always think to ask Doc. He has a tremendous knowledge of the musical history of the area. He is always a pleasure to work with both musically and as a fine gentleman; very willing to accommodate. He is a revered person in Helena.”
Scenes from his performances over seventy-five years throughout the United States. The ever present virtuosity of his music flows from his collection of clarinets.
Drawing on his own experience, Dr. Lynn outlines his longevity and toe tapping glory which includes a very positive attitude, but not enough sleep, and surely, a “four leaf clover mixed in there.”
While the many musical memories and moments linger, he once again signals the emblazoned blue shirt and those favorite songs of the Last Chance Dixieland Jazz Band. “We play nuggets from the Last Chance Gulch.”
