Being Frank: musicians like you've never heard them before

Felix Peikli, Norwegian clarinetist talks Vegas tunes, handwritten letters, tuxedos, and dreaming big at Carnegie Hall

Our artist interview series is all about getting to know the musicians behind our albums and shows a little better, not just as performers, but as people. This time, we’re featuring clarinetist Felix Peikli, whose mix of old-school swing and sharp style has made him one of the most exciting entertainers on today’s jazz scene.

Born in Oslo, Norway, Felix fell in love with jazz after his grandfather gave him a Benny Goodman recording as a child. Things escalated pretty quickly from there. By age 12, he was already performing for the King and Queen of Norway in a tuxedo and bowler hat, clarinet in hand. Later, he earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music and went on to perform with artists including Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller, Harry Belafonte, and Chucho Valdés.

These days, Felix performs around the world as a bandleader and soloist. Offstage, though, he’s refreshingly down-to-earth, equally happy talking about Sinatra, movie scores, Comedy Central Roasts, or the joy of receiving an actual handwritten letter in the mail.

We gave Felix our Off Beat Questionnaire and asked him to answer whatever he felt like answering. Here’s what he had to say:

What’s one of your go-to songs to sing in the shower or car?

This is a hard question because I usually spend car rides checking out new releases or listening to other artists for inspiration. But I do catch myself humming songs like I Love Vegas or Sinatra’s Luck Be A Lady. There is just something about that classic Vegas swagger that never gets old.

(Honestly, that tracks. If you’ve ever seen Felix perform, you know he has a little bit of that old Vegas polished and playful energy himself)

Felix performing at Blue Note

What other music do you listen to?

I live by the principle that good music is good music, regardless of genre. So naturally, I listen to a pretty wide range of things: everything from classical music and orchestral film scores to James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Fela Kuti.

Do you have a superstition or ritual before performing?

No real superstitions, I prefer preparation over rituals. Though I will admit that a glass of champagne before the show can sometimes do wonders for the spirit.

(A very on-brand answer!)

What’s your guilty TV pleasure?

Honestly, probably the Comedy Central Roasts. As sophisticated as I’d like to sound here, I can absolutely lose an entire evening watching comedians brutally roast celebrities for three hours straight.

Red or white? Or cocktail?

Yes.

If you could only wear one outfit on every gig from now on, what would it be?

Probably a dark blue tuxedo. Classic, elegant, and forgiving under stage lights after a late-night dinner.

(Felix has definitely embraced the art of presentation alongside the music itself. The tuxedos, the swing-era flair, the sense of occasion. It’s all part of the experience)

What’s the most random thing that can make your day better?

Receiving letters in the mail. That rarely happens anymore now that most communication is through emails, calls, and texts. But receiving a handwritten letter or a postcard still brightens my day every single time.

(For someone so connected to classic jazz traditions, it somehow feels fitting that Felix still appreciates old-fashioned gestures, too)

What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’re absolutely determined to check off?

One of my biggest dreams is to one day lead my orchestra in a performance at Carnegie Hall.

Benny Goodman concert poster, 1938

(That dream goes all the way back to childhood, when Felix first heard Benny Goodman’s famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert recording, the same recording that sparked his love for jazz in the first place)

What was your first gig?

My very first gig was performing for Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway at Akershus Fortress Castle in Oslo. I was 12 years old and showed up in a tiny penguin tuxedo, a bowler hat, and carrying a clarinet almost as tall as I was.

(Honestly, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect origin story for Felix Peikli)

Do you have a favorite old movie or movie star?

I’ve always loved the Ocean’s movies. That whole world of elegance, wit, great music, and late-night glamour feels oddly familiar to me.

(Also… very on brand)

Looking for more of Felix's music? Start HERE

Hear some clips of Felix on our new album "Accentuate The Positive" HERE