Carlos Garnett

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Carlos Garnett (born December 1, 1938) is a Panamanian-American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and jazz group leader. Mr. Garnett was born in Red Tank Canal Zone in 1938, and at the age of 7, his parents moved to community of Paraiso where he grew into manhood. He first started playing the alto saxophone at the age of 16 years while in High School.

Biography

Early career

He grew up in Panama, and started playing tenor saxophone in 1957. Early on, he performed calypso and Latin music. In 1962, Garnett moved to New York, working with rock groups and struggling a bit, but listening closely to free jazz saxophonists. He gained some recognition for his work with Freddie Hubbard (1968-1969), Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1969-1970), and Charles Mingus, and had an important stint with Miles Davis in 1972. Garnett also worked with Jack McDuff, Andrew Hill, Gary Bartz, and Norman Connors during the era and recorded five albums of his own for Muse during 1974-1977 that ranged from exploratory music to modest attempts at commercialism.

Carlos Garnett was musically inactive during much of the 1980s, and largely seemed to disappear from jazz, but started a comeback in 1991. In 1996, he made one of his finest albums (Fuego en Mi Alma, for the HighNote label) in a style little changed since the '70s. Some of his most notable appearances include playing tenor saxophone and soprano sax with Norman Connors, Herbie Hancock, and DeeDee Bridgewater on the 1974 recording "Love From The Sun" where his improvisations were consistently incisive and daring. His also appeared on his own recording called "Black Love" again playing tenor sax and soprano sax. Another notable appearance is as the only soloist with a hard driving latin group on tenor sax, showing his Coltrane influences, on the recording called "Early Trane-The John Coltrane Songbook" playing an outstanding version of "Giant Steps". Other outstanding Garnett recordings are "Let This Melody Ring On", "Under Nubian Skies", and "Moon Shadow". He sometimes works in Panama on that particular jazz scene, appearing in clubs and at jazz festivals..

Not too long after that he formed a band while in high school, and was soon playing around town with various groups. He worked many years with the then famous group, the Gay Crooners, The Carlos Garnett/Vincent Ford quartet, Chachi Macias Ritmo Tropical orchestra, The Victor Boa quartet. He recorded many hits and worked with Black Majesty and the Mighty Bamboo band until he migrated to the United States in 1962.

Carlos arrived in the USA on one cold evening, on February 1, 1962. A few months later he landed a gig at the Baby Grand club in Brooklyn. He was playing jazz every Monday night at this club. Later he landed a job playing rock & roll with Rockin Wee Willy and his band on the weekends. Soon thereafter, he joined Paul Mondays’ organ jazz quartet in upstate Poughkeepsie and in Newburg, NY.

The later part of the same year, he was hired to play with Leo Price band, and was the band director. This group played at the then famous Celebrity Club in Freeport, Long Island. This group performed behind the likes of Gladys Knight and the Pips, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Reed, Jackie Wilson, The Supremes, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus ‘Do the dog’ Thomas and his daughter Irma Thomas, and many more. This was one of the ‘Chittlin Circuits’ that catered to the top Afro-American acts. Remember, this was in the early to mid 60’s before the riots and the ‘Black Power movements’.

He joined the Freddie Hubbard quintet in the early part of 1978. This group featured Freddie on trumpet, Carlos on tenor and soprano saxes, Kenny Barron on piano, Juny Booth on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. He was on Freddie’s “Soul Experiment” album. He later was called for the gig with Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers. Woody shaw on trumpet, Carlos on saxes, George Cables on piano, Juny Booth on bass and Art Blakely on drums. He recorded 2 albums with the Jazz Messengers. “Art Blakely Live in Japan JVC,” and “Mellow Blues” live in Newark New Jersey.

During the mid year of 1970, he also was featured with the Charles Mingus sextet. Tommy Turrentine on trumpet, Charles McPherson on also sax, Carlos on tenor, Jackie Byard on piano and Billie Higgins on drums and Mingus on bass. Carlos formed his 2nd group at this time. The Universal Black Force. This group played at most of the black colleges and universities on the East coast. Carlos was featured on Pharoah Sanders “Black Unity” album, recorded live at the East Jazz jazz emporium.

He joined the Norman Conners group in the early part of 1971. This group consisted of Dee Dee Bridgewater and then Jean Carne on vocals. Carlos recorded 4 albums with Norman Conners. “Dance of Magic,” “Dark of Light,” “Slew Foot,” During this same period, Carlos recorded his first album for Muse records. “Black Love.” Later he did “Journey to Enlightenment,” Let This Melody Ring On,” Cosmos Nucleus Big Band,” and “The New Love.”

In the year of 1973/74, Carlos joined the Miles Davis band and worked, recorded and toured with Miles for approximately 2 years. During this period, he recorded on “On the Corner”, “Big Fun,” “Get Up with It” and “Live at the Philharmonic.”

Carlos Garnett returned to the jazz scene in 1991, after 9 years hiatus. At this point in time, he formed a small group, the CARLOS GARNETT QUARTET. This group consisted of some of the finest and youngest jazz musician around New York. The first group consisted of Jeff Lawrence on piano, Brad Jones on bass, and Taru Alexander on drums, later on, Carlton Holmes (piano) and Shingo Okudaira (drums) joined the group. Carlos performed around New York City with his new group at such notable clubs as Birdland, The Blue Note, the Five Spot, The Village Vanguard, the Village Gate, Sweet Basil, the famous Lenox Lounge, the Knitting Factory and the Up Over Jazz Club in Brooklyn, NY. Just to mention a few.

He recorded his first CD “RESURGENCE” (on Muse Records) after many years in 1995 and released in 1996. Special guest artists on this new CD were Steve Neal on bass, Taru Alexander on drums and Neil Clarke on percussions. His working and recording group include Carlton Holmes on piano, Brad Jones on bass and Shingo Okudaira on drums. His other releases are: “FIRE IN MY SOUL/FUEGO EN MI ALMA” (1997). “UNDER NUBIAN SKIES” 1999. (on High Note Records) Russell Gunn on trumpet was the special guest artist. His latest “MOON SHADOW,” was released on the Savant label in the year 2000.

Later career

Carlos also recorded a CD with the late great organist Charles Earland, “Slammin and Jammin” which was released on the Savant label Groove Series.

In May of the year 2000, Carlos relocated to Houston Texas, and lived in the suburb of Katy. He established himself there the tops saxophonist in the area. He has performed at such jazz clubs as The Red Cat Jazz Cafe, Cezannes, Ruggles, Iris Jazz Resort and others. Since relocating, he has performed at the Houston International Jazz festival, Kemah Boardwalk Jazz festival and the Texas International festival in Corpus Christi Texas, and Concerts at the University of Houston Downtown, and Rice University.

He has performed with the like of Joe Sample, George Thomas, Rick Porter, David Craig, David Marcellin, Erin Wright, Kyle Turner, Vernon Daniels, Paul English, Brennen Nase, Bob Henschen, Conrad Johnson, Marsha Frazier, Joe Carmouche, al Campbell, Phil Blackman, Carol Morgan, Carl Lott, Mark Townes, Sebastian Whitaker, Hamilton Loomis, Jerry Johnson, just to mention a few.

Carlos and percussion great, Will Cruz collaborated and formed a new group, the LATIN JAZZTET, the early part of the year 2002. The members of this awesome group are some of the best jazz and latin jazz musicians in the Houston area. Eddie Lewis on trumpet, Jose Miguel Yamal on piano, Anthony McKinney on bass, Chris Axelrad on drums.

In the year 2003, Carlos moved back home to his native country, Panama, Republic of Panama. Since returning, he has formed a new quartet which features some of Panama’s best young jazz musicians. Juan Carlos DeLeon on piano, Mario Beccabunco on bass and Anibal DeLeon on drums.

Carlos was a frequent guest artist with the Carlos Ubarte’s group at the Casa Gongora upon his return to his country. Carlos Ubarte and his lovely wife Noris were instrumental in presenting Carlos to the jazz fans in Panama. The two saxophonists has worked together on many projects.

He has performed with his group at the Balboa Theater for the Carl Louis Russells Jazz concert, at the Atlapa theater and the Catedral Plaza in San Felipe for the Danilo Perez' Annual Panamanian Jazz Festival, also with the Fumio Karashima’s group from Japan at the balboa theater for the Centenario celebration

He has also been featured as a guest artist at the new Jazz club “TAKE FIVE JAZZ CLUB, ” with the Fidel Morales Trio. With the likes of Dino Nugent/Juan Carlos Deleon on piano Eusebi Dinza or Chispa on bass. He recently was featured at the new jazz club on Balboa avenue, The Fisch Jazz Grill.

Carlos and Guillermo Herrera also produced a new CD which features on of Panama’s legendary musician, Mr. Victor Boa. This CD is called “LAS LEYENDAS DE TAMBO JAZZ,” (THE LEGENDS OF TAMBO JAZZ.)

Recently, Carlos Quartet performed at Danilo Perez 2nd Annual Panamanin Jazz Festival. Oterr jazz greats featured at this festival were Danilo perez, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Charles Hunter and Janis Seigel.

In 2007 Carlos also did play with swedish saxophone star Jonas Kullhammar at the Sonny Rollins tribute when Sonny Rollins received the presigious Polar Music Prize in Stockholm.

Carlos still travels to New York to do gigs with the Carlos Garnett Quartet.

Carlos is currently in the UK as he collaborated with Charley Anderson of The Selecter on their latest single Ghetto Child

Discography

• Black Love with Mtume, Billy Hart, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Charles Sullivan, Reggie Lucas, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norman Connors, Guilherme Franco, Ayodele Jenkins, Mauricio Smith, Buster Williams, Carlos Chambers, Allan Gumbs, 1974
• Fire with Kenny Kirkland, Reggie Lucas, Neil Clark, Wayne Cobham, Angel Fernandez, Anthony Jackson, Howard King, Charles Pulliam, 1974
• Fuego En Mi Alma with Neil Clarke, Brad Jones, Carlton Holmes, Shingo Okudaira, 1996
• Under Nubian Skies with Carlton Holmes, Russell Gunn, Shingo Okudaira, 1999
• Moon Shadow with Robert Trowers, Neil Clarke, Alvin Flythe, Derrick Gardner, Carlton Holmes, Shingo Okudaira, 2001