My Man Benny, My Man Phil

Benny Carter, who largely retired in 1997 after he turned 90, had possibly the longest career of any major jazz musician. A distinctive alto-saxophonist, an occasional trumpeter and a significant arranger-composer, Carter was first considered an important figure in jazz back in 1927 when he debuted with Charlie Johnson's Orchestra. Carter worked with Fletcher Henderson, led McKinney's Cotton Pickers and had his own big band as early as 1932. Recognized as one of the big three of altoists in the 1930s (along with Johnny Hodges and Willie Smith), Carter spent a productive period (1935-38) working in Europe, led several very musical big bands and by 1943 was working in the Hollywood studios as a writer. During the next 20 years he recorded many important albums in his timeless style in addition to being a major contributor to Hollywood film scores. He spent a decade (from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s) primarily working as a writer but eventually returned to active playing with his timeless style very much intact. Up until the time of his retirement, the remarkable Benny Carter always ranked near the top of jazz saxophonists.

The pair of sessions that are featured this month (available as a two-CD set or separately) showcase Benny Carter when he was in his eighties but still very much in his musical prime. My Man Benny/My Man Phil teams Carter at 82 with 58-year old altoist Phil Woods. Though Woods' original role model was Charlie Parker, there is no musical generation gap between the two horns, who are collaborative rather than competitive on this quintet date. Joined by pianist Chris Neville, bassist George Mraz and drummer Kenny Washington, they perform five Carter originals (including My Man Phil which Carter sings, People Time and two versions of Just A Mood), two Woods songs, Sultry Serenade and I'm Just Wild About Harry. We Were In Love is particularly special for Carter is heard on trumpet (which he also plays on People Time) while Woods switches effectively to clarinet. A wonderful project by two musical masters.

Elegy In Blue from five years later (when Carter was 87) is just as rewarding. The altoist performs tributes to nine jazz greats (including Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt) who he knew and outlived. Carter, assisted by veteran trumpeter Harry Sweets Edison, pianist Cedar Walton, guitarist Mundell Lowe, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jeff Hamilton, performs a standard apiece that were associated with the nine immortals (including Ceora, Prelude To A Kiss, Someday You'll Be Sorry and Undecided) plus his own Elegy In Blue. The music is as swinging, tasteful, flawless and classy as one always expects from the remarkable Benny Carter.

-Scott Yanow