Benny Carter died in Los Angeles on July 12, 2003. He would have turned 96 the following month. For seven decades, he was the best, playing alto saxophone and trumpet. Carter was highly regarded as a musician, composer, arranger, and orchestra leader. He was indeed a musician's musician.

Benny Carter

In 1995, I heard Carter play a few numbers with Med Flory's Supersax at a Sunday afternoon outdoor concert at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills. Carter was in his late 80s.

It was a testament to his stature in the jazz world to see the four members of Supersax's  reed section, each a highly talented reed player and jazz musician in his own right, watch in awe and admiration as Carter played.

The last time he played in public was in March 1998 at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Los Angeles, not far from his home.

Shortly before his death, when Carter was asked if he would perform again in public, he replied, "Oh, no. Not a chance. I'm retired now!" He and his wife, Hilma, lived in the Hollywood Hills overlooking Los Angeles, where Carter moved from New York City in the early 1940s.

George Spink
Los Angeles
Email Me

"Vine Street Rumble" by Benny Carter. Benny Carter with the Count Basie Orchestra Live in Vienne, France (1997) Source: You Tube

Soloists-Terrance Conley-piano, Doug Lawrence-tenor sax, Scotty Barnhardt-trumpet, Benny Carter-alto sax, Alvin Walker-trombone, James Leary-bass. Rest of band - Grover Mitchell-leader/trombone, Manny Boyd-lead alto, Brad Lealy-alto, Doug Miller-tenor, Johnny Williams-bari, Dave Kiem-lead trombone, Clarence Banks-trombone, Bill Hughes-bass trombone, Mike Williams-lead trumpet, Bob Ojeda-trumpet, Shawn Edmonds-trumpet, Will Mathews-guitar, Francois Laudet-drums.