Jazzman Tom Ackerman began playing the clarinet at age six and soon was playing with his family Dixieland band called the “Stoplights and their Go-Go Jazz,” which performed in LA, Disneyland, the USO Club and on the famed Ted Mack Amateur Hour show. The clarinet player is a member of CanUS and The Stomp Club Band, and had a 10-year career as band leader on Princess Cruises.

You can hear Ackerman and other musicians perform in the Chamber Music San Juans’ second concert of its 24th season.

Director Patricia Kostek said this will be a program unlike any in the past and if you love the sound of clarinet, your enjoyment will be quadrupled.

Her ensemble, “The Winds of Yarrow,” includes four classically-trained clarinetists plus a string bass player for CMSJ’s performance Saturday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. at San Juan Community Theatre.

In addition to Ackerman, there will be string bass player Bruce Meikle and clarinetists Rainer Roth, and Sue Collado.

Collado recently moved from California to San Juan Island with her husband, Jim. The couple played in the orchestra for last spring’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at the theater.  She performed with the San Diego Symphony and was the principal clarinetist for the La Jolla Symphony for 28 years.

The group will play not only classical favorites but folk, jazz and a few surprises.

Composers such as Mozart, Bartók, Piazzolla and Bechet will be featured. The group will also play a new composition from San Juan Island’s own Richard Hieronymus, newly arranged for the group and described by him as “a haunting ballad.”

The business partner is San Juan Vineyards.  Tickets are $26 for adults and $13 for student reserved, $5 Student RUSH available at the door.