DTOLive! Spotlight: Joe Fritz

Joe Fritz is a Hungarian-born jazz clarinetist whose performances channel the timeless sounds of swing, bebop, and classic West Coast jazz. Ranked among the world’s top 30 jazz clarinetists in 2012, Joe brings decades of experience to the stage, with 11 solo albums as a bandleader and more than 50 recordings as a sideman. His playing pays tribute to jazz’s golden eras while carving out a distinctive voice for the clarinet in modern settings.

Inspired early on by legends like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Buddy DeFranco, Joe found his musical direction the moment he picked up his father’s old clarinet. Today, his performances invite listeners to slow down, smile, and connect through melody. Whether entertaining dedicated audiences or passersby in downtown Orlando, Joe values the shared moments that unfold when music sparks genuine joy and curiosity.