Take 5 With Benny Carter

Prior to the arrival of Charlie Parker, there were three acknowledged masters of the alto sax, Johnny Hodges, Willie Smith, and Benny Carter. Hodges and Smith are best known for their associations with Duke Ellington and Jimmy Lunceford. Benny Carter had a career that went beyond such an easy linkage. He was a member of as well as led a big band. He also played the trumpet, was an arranger as well as being a composer. Today is a short playlist of "King Carter" whose career extended for many decades. We start with a 1933 recording, "Lonesome Nights."

Next up is Carter with Django Reinhardt from 1938 doing "I'm Coming Virginia."

Carter was a favorite of Norman Granz and his Jazz at the Philharmonic tours. Here he is with Coleman Hawkins performing "Blue Lou.

Here he performs a song of his that has become somewhat of a standard, "When The Lights Are Low," with the American Jazz Orchestra.

We close this brief playlist of Benny Carter's music with the Benny Carter All-Stars performing "Blues Walk" and Take the A Train."