Benny Carter
Benny Carter, born Bennett Lester Carter on August 8, 1907, in New York City, was a pioneering American jazz musician, composer, and arranger. He passed away on July 12, 2003, in Los Angeles, California. Carter's career, which spanned over seven decades, saw him become one of the most influential figures in jazz. Known for his mastery of the alto saxophone, Carter was also a skilled trumpeter, clarinetist, and bandleader. His work as an arranger was particularly notable, contributing significantly to the development of big band and swing music.
Carter grew up in the San Juan Hill neighborhood of Manhattan and began his musical education with piano lessons from his mother. He briefly attended Wilberforce College before joining various big bands, including those led by Charlie Johnson and Fletcher Henderson. In the early 1930s, Carter led McKinney’s Cotton Pickers and later formed his own big band. His innovative arrangements and compositions, such as "Waltzing the Blues" and "When Lights Are Low," became jazz standards.
In the mid-1930s, Carter moved to Europe, where he played a crucial role in spreading jazz internationally. Upon returning to the United States, he settled in Los Angeles in 1945, breaking racial barriers in Hollywood as a composer and arranger for films and television. His film credits include "Stormy Weather" and "The Sun Also Rises."
Carter's saxophone playing was characterized by its purity of tone and rhythmic precision. He continued to perform and record into his 90s, earning numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards in 1992 and 1994, and the National Medal of Arts in 2000. His legacy is celebrated for its profound impact on jazz and American music.
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