Benny Carter

A true giant of the Swing Era and beyond, Bennett Lester 'Benny' Carter was a master of both the alto saxophone and the trumpet, and one of the most important and elegant arrangers in jazz history. His career spanned an incredible eight decades. He was known for his supremely lyrical and sophisticated playing and his brilliant writing for big bands, which helped to shape the sound of the saxophone section as we know it today. Along with Johnny Hodges, he was considered a definitive alto player of his era and was a respected bandleader who helped launch the careers of many other musicians.