John Bruce Yeh

John Bruce Yeh (born 1957) is an American clarinetist. He has been the assistant principal clarinetist and E-flat clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1977. Yeh is the founder and director of the chamber ensemble, Chicago Pro Musica, whose first recording, Stravinsky's L'Histoire du soldat, won the 1985 Grammy Award for the Best New Classical Artist.

Early life Yeh was born in Washington DC, although he grew up in Los Angeles, California. Yeh's parents were originally from China. Yeh's father was a scientist and a singer. Yeh's mother was a scientist and a pianist.

While in New York Yeh became a founding member of the New York New Music Ensemble and retained an interest in contemporary music throughout his career. He has also collaborated with composer and electronic musician Howard Sandroff, performing and recording Pierre Boulez's 1985 work for clarinet and electronics, Dialogue de l'ombre double. Yeh cofounded INVENTIONS, a visual-musical quartet.

Personal life Yeh's first wife was Jody Shinbrod Yeh, a social worker, who is of Jewish descent; they have two daughters including Molly. Yeh's second wife is Teresa Reilly, a clarinetist, and together they have a daughter. Yeh, his wife Reilly, and his daughter Molly, a percussionist, perform together on the album Synergy released by Naxos Records in the Naxos Wind Band Classics series.

Recordings Yeh's recordings include: Stravinsky: L'Histoire du soldat (also includes works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Walton, Hasenohrl, and Nielsen) – Chicago Pro Musica: George Vosburgh (cornet, trumpet); Daniel Gingrich (horn); Jay Friedman (trombone); Richard Graef (flute); John Bruce Yeh (clarinet); Willard Elliot, (bassoon); Albert Igolnikov (violin); Donald Moline (cello); Joseph Guasgafeste (bass); Easley Blackwood (piano); Donald Koss (percussion). Label: Reference Recordings Hindemith: Clarinet Chamber Music – John Bruce Yeh (clarinet), Easley Blackwood (piano), Amelia Piano Trio. Label: Cedille Records Boulez: Dialogues With My Shadow (also includes works by Sandroff, Donald Martino, and Rami Levin) – John Bruce Yeh (clarinet), Howard Sandroff (computer). Label: Koch International Classics Synergy (works by Daugherty, Burritt, Gillingham, David, and McAllister) – John Bruce Yeh (clarinet), Teresa Reilly (clarinet), Molly Yeh (percussionist), Columbus State University Wind Ensemble. Label: Naxos Records 1986 Grammy Award for Best New Classical Artist