Note(s)Bennett Lester (Benny) Carter (b. 1907) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, arranger, composer and bandleader active in Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, and Europe. Largely self-taught, he played in Fletcher Henderson's big band (1930-31), and briefly served as musical director of McKinney's Cotton Pickers in Detroit. Carter served as a staff arranger for the BBC Dance Orchestra (1936-8) and upon settling in Los Angeles (1942), he commenced Hollywood studio work, composing and arranging for both film and television. In the 1950s and 60s he wrote arrangements for most of the leading singers of the time, including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee and Louis Armstrong. Carter was a leading force in the amalgamation of the local black and white Musicians' Union branches. He eventually began teaching and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Princeton University in 1974. He received the Grammy lifetime achievement award in 1987.

Table of ContentsPage numbers here indicate page numbers for "Read Online" interface. Page numbers listed on transcripts may differ.

Tape 1 Side 1...pp. 2-37
Tape 1 Side 2...pp. 37-74
Tape 2 Side 1...pp. 74-107
Tape 2 Side 2...pp. 107-142
Tape 3 Side 1...pp. 143-176
Tape 3 Side 2...pp. 176-201
Tape 4 Side 1...pp. 202-231
Tape 4 Side 2...pp. 232-256

Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-skqd-nh79

CollectionJazz Oral History Project

Organization NameRutgers Univerisity. Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University. Institute of Jazz Studies

PlacePrinceton, NJ

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