Carter, Benny

Benny Carter was and continues to be a jazz legend. Active from the twenties until his death, he was a true pioneer as a saxophonist, trumpet player and composer/arranger. Perhaps because Carter spent many years as a composer for film and television in Los Angeles and out of the jazz scene, he is not as well known as others who were present and influential during jazz's formative years, such as Duke Ellington, Earl Hines and Count Basie. It was Carter who advised a young Robert Farnon how to create a full score, and Benny also mentored trombonist J.J. Johnson. Carter's considerable catalog is now being properly published by Jazz Lines Publications. Because Carter is not as well known as Ellington or Basie, it is possible that many band directors are passing up the opportunity to play and expose young people to this wonderful and classic music. While the many scores that we publish by Gil Evans, Mary Lou Williams and others may be too difficult, there are several titles by Benny that your band can play. Even though it was written for professionals, much of his music is playable by middle-school bands. The melodies are infectious and the chord changes interesting to study and jam on. This is the perfect teaching material that is also solid musically and has delighted audiences for years.

- Jeff Sultanof