Benny Carter RIP

[morgan]

World much poorer today.

http://www.bennycarter.com/

[Dave Dolson]

That's too bad. His song, BLUES IN MY HEART is a favorite of mine - play it all the time. DAVE

[MS]

One of my favorite musicians. Loved his sax playing and arranging. Carter was doing Super Sax type voicings for big band sax sections in the 30's and 40's. Big contributor to America's Music. His life made a difference.

[Hornlip]

Saw him live five years ago in NYC in the East Village--it was outdoors, and if I remember correctly the occassion was Charlie Parker's birthday. The concert featured musicians who had influenced Parker, were influenced by him, or otherwise intersected him during his career. Milt Jackson was there, too, I think, and some others.

I remember Carter especially because until then I had never heard of him. I was pretty impressed that he was up and playing at age 90, though. I was really impressed when he got up to play. He got off rythym for a few beats here and there (or the rythym section did), but otherwise I was entranced -- by his tone. Hitherto the only live alto playing I was familiar with was in the bop & post-bop speed/sound assault style -- I had never heard anybody play live with such a light touch or that kind of relaxed, self-confident poise and lyricism. It really was a voice out of a bygone era. It helped turned my ears around, to be sure. I remember thinking "gee, what were the boppers in such a hurry for??!!"

I'm glad I got to see him.

[morgan]

Yeah, that tone - - wow.

Saw him live 20+ years ago, in a mid-size classical music concert hall. Every note that popped out of his horn filled the whole hall, down to the tiniest corner. And he was not loud.

Even then I felt very lucky that one of the old ones had lived long enough for me to see him.
Even now his departure seems too soon.

[Pete]

just saw this on alt.music.saxophone. :

Benny Carter August 8, 1907 - July 12, 2003

Benny Carter died peacefully July 12 in a Los Angeles hospital after a
brief illness. Although physically weak, he remained completely lucid and
enjoyed speaking with many of his friends worldwide over the past few
weeks. The funeral service will be private but we will post information
concerning upcoming memorials. The family has requested that, in lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the Morroe Berger - Benny Carter Jazz
Research Fund, Institute of Jazz Studies, Dana Library, Rutgers
University, Newark, NJ 07102 - from Larry Berger at www.bennycarter.com

This represents a great loss for the music world. Benny Carter had one of
the longest and most productive lifes any musician could wish for. Not
only did he define what being a musician is all about, he defined the way
musicians should carry themselves and maintain their dignity throughout
all of the trials and tribulations life brings. I was blessed to have
worked with him extensively and counted him as a true friend and mentor. I
will miss him greatly but feel that he is still with us due to his giant
contributions to music and humanity.- Mel Martin

--
Mel Martin
mel@melmartin.com
http://www.melmartin.com

[Pete]

Despite the fact I dont believe in immediate life after death as they say on the local NPR jazz station another great jazz musician has joined that great big band in the sky. We're slowly but surely losing our great jazz giants. However, young giants are up and coming :lol:

[Pete]

You may have heard of Benny Carter's recent passing at age 95. He was most well known as an alto saxophonist, but early in his career he would switch-hit between trumpet and sax while leading his band during sets and recordings. He also played clarinet.

What's more, he played all of them well!! His trumpet & sax playing shared the same characteristics: self-confident, clean, clear, and light. A very elegant player.

Check out this url for more:

http://www.bennycarter.com/indexmain.shtml

[Pete]

See also http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/0703/14bennycarter.html (from my e-mail today).

Just trying to combine all the new threads into one!

My introduction to his music was on clarinet. Interested parties might want to check www.sneezy.org and see if there's further information there.

[Dig Gonsalves]

wall-to-wall Benny for the next few days at
www.wkcr.org

Thanks, Benny.

[Peterk]

If any newer players see this and are wondering what album to get next time they go CD shopping...

Pick up Further Definitions by Mr. Benny Carter (and friends). You won't regret it, it'll open your ears, and you'll come to understand what a great loss this is. I've never heard anything like it.