Not only a great, influential figure during the era of the big bands,
saxophonist Benny Carter worked in nine different decades and was a
groundbreaking arranger, band leader and performer as jazz moved from swing to
be-bop to modern styles.
Born in New York City, his mother gave him piano lessons as a child and he
largely taught himself the saxophone. By the age of 15 he was playing in Harlem
night clubs and learning his trade as a sideman in local bands. Making his first
recordings in 1928 as part of the Charlie Johnson Orchestra, he started
arranging for the Fletcher Hend...