Benny Carter

Benny Carter started as an influential alto saxophonist in the 1920s, before going on to arrange for Fletcher Henderson, and in doing so shaped the sound of big bands and early swing. A prolific composer, his melodic inventions and hundreds of songs have been woven into the rich tapestry of the American Songbook, such as “I’m In The Mood For Swing”, and “St Louis Blues”. Later in his career he taught at Princeton, before he moved to Hollywood and became one of the first jazz musicians to write for films and television.