Further Definitions

Benny Carter had one of the most consistent and lengthiest careers in jazz history. He was one of the world's top alto-saxophonists in 1927, and he still was in 1997 when he was 90. More than just an altoist, Carter was a major arranger, a talented songwriter, an excellent trumpeter and along the way also played clarinet, tenor and piano. He was the epitome of class and reliability.

Carter made his recording debut in 1927 with Charlie Johnson's Paradise Ten and by the following year was contributing arrangements to Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. He was a member of Henderson's band during 1930-31, led his own big band during 1932-34 and spent 1935-38 working steadily in Europe. Blues in My Heart and When Lights Are Low are two of his songs from this period that became standards. Back in the U.S. he led another big band during 1939-41 and two years later moved permanently to Los Angeles where he worked in the studios for a half-century. Even with the changes in the music world, Carter's swing style on alto remained timeless and modern. Although he took time off from playing from the mid-60s to the mid-70s due to being so busy in the studios, Carter made a comeback and stayed active until he retired after his 90th birthday in 1998, a move that still seemed premature. He lived to be 95.

Further Definitions is one of the true classics of Benny Carter's career. Teamed with altoist Phil Woods and tenors Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Rouse in 1961, Carter contributed all of the arrangements and the saxophonists romp through such numbers as Honeysuckle Rose, Crazy Rhythm and Cotton Tail. The CD reissue is particularly valuable, for it also includes all of the music from 1966's Addition To Further Definitions, which has Carter joined by altoist Bud Shank and tenors Teddy Edwards and either Buddy Collette or Bill Perkins for some additional rewarding music.

-Scott Yanow

This essential single-CD combines altoist/arranger Benny Carter's classic Further Definitions with the related Additions to Further Definitions. The former set was a revisit, instrumentation-wise, to the famous 1937 session that Carter and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins made in France with two top European saxophonists (Andre Ekyan and Alix Combelle) and guitarist Django Reinhardt. The all-star group (which also includes Hawkins, altoist Phil Woods, Charlie Rouse on second tenor, pianist Dick Katz, guitarist John Collins, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Jo Jones) performs a particularly inspired repertoire. Carter's charts, which allow Hawkins to stretch out on "Body and Soul," give everyone a chance to shine. "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Crazy Rhythm" hold their own with the 1937 versions, and "Blue Star" and "Doozy" prove to be two of Carter's finest originals. The second date does not quite reach the same heights, but is enjoyable in its own right. This time, Carter contributed six of the eight selections (including a remake of "Doozy"), and the band was gathered from jazzmen then working in the L.A. studios, including Carter and Bud Shank on altos, and tenors Teddy Edwards and either Buddy Collette or Bill Perkins. Although Benny Carter was not actively playing much at the time (this was his only small-group recording during 1963-1975), he is heard in typically prime form. Very highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide