Rick Bogart's ('74) documentary From Bourbon Street to Carnegie Hall -- about his life performing around the world for over 50 years, earning him the name "Mr. New Orleans" -- caught the attention of major streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime.

The hour-long, made-for-TV program utilizes footage collected throughout Bogart's career, from playing Bourbon Street to Carnegie Hall, and is now accessible to over 200 million viewers globally.

Such reception shouldn't have surprised Bogart, who's internationally recognized as a top clarinetist and jazz singer by leading publications like The New York Times.

"We didn't have any plans on where it was going to go," Bogart says. "All I know is that it was not contrived."

Bogart -- who earned a bachelor's in music performance and a teaching certificate from UNT's College of Music over five decades ago -- shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

'Under the Wings'

When his family originally moved to Texas from Louisiana, after a short stint at Tulane and Loyola, Bogart met and took lessons with Robert Strickler, who was first chair clarinet in the Dallas Symphony and alumnus of the Curtis Institute of Music.

Strickler helped the young musician get into the highly competitive school before Bogart dropped out and moved back to Texas in 1969 to transfer to UNT and be closer to his late mother, who planted his love for music.

Out of the schools he attended, Bogart felt his talents grow the furthest at UNT.

"North Texas has a tremendous music program," Bogart says. "I was thrilled to be there."

During his freshman year, Bogart ran into Eugene Conley -- artist-in-residence from 1960 to 1978 --while walking through the halls of the music building.

Awestruck, Bogart asked the famed opera singer if he was willing to teach an amateur vocalist.

"No problem," Bogart recalls Conley's response. "I'll make the time for you."

The pair evolved into great friends, with Conley driving Bogart and other students in his long, winged classic Cadillac to see opera legend Maria Callas sing in downtown Dallas.

Learning under the wings of Conley and other great music instructors of the time, like Rule Beasley and George Papich, Bogart came out of college ready to blossom.

'Along the Way'

Returning to his roots, Bogart spent five years post-grad in a union position playing outside The Famous Door on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for six nights a week before relocating for a consistent and well-paying position performing at the Theatrical Grill in Ohio.

The Theatrical Grill was the go-to for wealthy, entertainment-loving locals in Cleveland. Working there was pivotal for the future of Bogart's career.

It was there where Bogart unknowingly began working on his documentary.

Ron Watt, a public relations specialist, connected Bogart to the CBS affiliate in Cleveland, who hired him to play jazz on TV and suggested he record and master those performances.

Listening to Watt, Bogart recorded master tapes and filmed himself performing.

One thing led to another, and Bogart left Cleveland for Atlantic City's emerging music scene before traveling the world performing as a headliner on cruises doing two short shows per week.

"I collected these things as I went along," Bogart says. "I'm glad I did it."

Decades into a well-established career, Bogart was noticed by several agencies and ultimately signed to Gurtman and Murtha --a niche New York City-based artist management company that produced his documentary.

In the time since signing, Bogart has flourished -- living in New York City, recording albums and playing in world-class venues and at exclusive events, including fundraisers for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse.

'As Time Goes By'

Today, Bogart lives near Times Square and is almost finished putting together his next album -- As Time Goes By -- with his label Arabesque Records.

Bogart recorded several albums with Arabesque, including his 2016 homage to Conley, who passed away in 1981. Air Checks -- referring to Conley's live radio segments -- is an archival project preserving the singer's work and took nearly ten years to piece together.

"I sure wish he was alive to see it," Bogart says. "His wife and his relatives liked it."

The singer left a mark on Bogart, who flew back to Texas to visit Conley before he passed away.

Like the talents who came before him, Bogart has dedicated his life to performing, teaching and preserving music and will keep doing so for as long as he possibly can.

"I don't have to keep going, but I want to," Bogart says. "I don't want to retire."