Herbert L Clarke (1867-1945)

How I Became a Cornetist
- Clarke's autobigraphy, compiled from a series of magazine
installments.
"The (In)famous
Letter" to Eldon E Benge (1921) - The young musician
had written to Clarke, wondering about switching from cornet to
trumpet, as the latter instrument had been increasing in
popularity. Clarke's reply reveals both his unqualified love of
the cornet, as well as his distaste for the trumpet and loathing of
jazz music. As a great bandsman, it would have been easy for him
to feel bitter upon witnessing the rapid decline of his musical world
after World War One.