[Dixielandjazz] Benny Carter's Passing....A Truly Great Loss

[Nickdragos at cs.com]

Listers,

The passing yesterday {July 2th} of Benny Carter gives us all a moment 
{although I'm sure it would take most jazz fans much longer} to reflect on this 
genius and his lasting contributions to this music we all love.

Admittedly, I placed him below Johnny Hodges on my list of Alto Sax Giants, 
but his unique, readily identifiable creamy alto sax tone & style, his 
personalized trumpet & clarinet work, his composing, arranging & bandleading careers 
are certainly worth examining.

When I checked his website....www.BennyCarter.com..... early Sunday morn {I 
had heard months ago he was slowly declining health-wise, and usually checked 
his site once a week or more for news) and read of his death yesterday in a Los 
Angeles hospital, I dug into my collection of NPR's "Jazz Profiles" and 
listened to that all-too-brief 54 minute overview of his career.

My God......the accomplishments of the man are astounding.

Trying to list them are insane...there are just too many great solos, 
interesting little-known gems, fine & underappreciated compositions, great recorded 
performances....
so, a few highlights:

1930's "Dee Blues" on clarinet

The 1937 "Crazy Rhythm" with Django Reinhardt & Coleman Hawkins (and the 
re-working of that arrangement on the "Further Definitions" Inpulse! LP of 1961

The Lionel Hampton small-group gem of Carter's composition "When Lights Are 
Low" with Coleman Hawkins, Chu Berry, Charlie Christian and other greats

That swinging Concord Jazz disc "A Gentleman & His Music" with Joe Wilder & 
Gene Harris (another pianist I miss so much after his passing a few years ago)

And several fun cuts from his prolific years recording for MusicMasters Jazz, 
including all the vocalists singing his compositions on the 2 "Benny Carter 
Songbooks".....I bet some vocalists looking for new material could pick up some 
tunes from those two CDs

I could go on, but I already have......

Goodbye, and Thank You, Benny Carter....for Swing, for Style, for Grace, for 
being a Gentleman, and for sharing your incredible multi-talents with a world 
that, far too often, overlooked your efforts.

Nick Dragos, Sacramento, California USA
NickDragos at cs.com