Carl Saunders
Selected Discography, Transcriptions
This page is maintained by Jeff Helgesen.
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Carl SaundersSelected Discography, TranscriptionsThis page is maintained by Jeff Helgesen. Last modified |
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BiographyCarl Saunders was born on Aug. 2, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and his first five years were mostly spent on the road. His uncle was trumpeter-bandleader Bobby Sherwood, who was riding high with the popular Sherwood Orchestra, having hits with "Elks Parade" and "Sherwood's Forest." Saunders' mother Gail (Bobby's sister) sang for the Sherwood Orchestra and Stan Kenton, amongst others. When Carl was five, he and his mother settled in Los Angeles, living with Carl's aunt Caroline and her husband, tenor saxophonist Dave Pell. At the time, Saunders heard the records of the Dave Pell Octet and was influenced by the style and playing of trumpeter Don Fagerquist. Saunders began playing trumpet in the seventh grade and he quickly found out that he had a natural ability, mostly learning to play by ear and never having any lessons. He played in school bands, and after graduating high school, his mother helped him get a job with Stan Kenton's orchestra. Saunders auditioned for Kenton's band and was given a choice: wait for the first opening in the trumpet section or join the band the following week as a member of the mellophonium section. He chose the latter and spent much of 1961-1962 on the road with Stan Kenton. After spending part of 1962-63 traveling with Bobby Sherwood's group (playing drums), Saunders settled back in Las Vegas where during the next 20 years he played with a countless number of show bands, including lead with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennet, and Frank Sinatra. Saunders also traveled as a lead player with Paul Anka and Robert Goulet and with such bandleaders as Si Zentner, Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, and Charlie Barnet. In 1984, Saunders moved to Los Angeles where he was soon playing lead trumpet with Bill Holman's orchestra, a position he still holds. Saunders has also worked with Supersax, the big bands of Bob Florence and Gerald Wilson, and the Phil Norman Tentet. In 1994, he became a member of the Dave Pell Octet (in Don Fagerquist's old chair). In addition, he is often heard leading his own groups, including the Carl Saunders Big Band, his sextet, and a quartet. Saunders cites Don Fagerquist and Kenny Dorham as his primary influences. Selected Discography/TranscriptionsAdobe Acrobat Reader required for solo transcriptions -- if you don't have it, get it here.
Stella By Starlight / We'll Be Together Again / Prudence / Personas Gratus / Sad Happiness / I Should Care / Love For Sale / Haunted Heart / Minute Waltz / This Is The Blues
Laura (Mercer/Raskin) / Oceanography (Florence) / Shimmery (Florence) / Teach Me Tonight (Cahn/DePaul) / Tenors, Anyone? (Florence) / Poinciana (Bernier/Simon) / With All The Bells And Whistles (Florence) / The Fly By Knights (Florence) / In A Mellow Tone (Ellington/Gabler)
Phil Norman Tentet: On The Town On the Town / Just Friends / Lost Bossa / Kansas City / Spring Is Here / Where or When / Quince / Artistry in Rhythm / Angel Eyes / For Dancers Only / Shiny Stockings / Morning Light / Don't Be That Way / That Old Feeling / Opus Pocus / Theme & Variations
Fascinating Rhythm / Reaching for You / Valtz Opus 64 #2 / First Gift / Surrey With the Fringe on Top / Last Night When We Were Young / Price of Admission / Pentiction / Night Reverie / Old Folks / Blues for the Common Man
Dave Pike: Peligroso Peligroso / Beauty and the Beast / Sanduga / Brenda / Boptism / Cayo Coco / Tumbao Pa' Mi Timbal / Breakin' It In / Bronx Blue / Primero Amor / Back to the Roots / Class Action Suite
Compilation / Love Dance / Emily / I'm All For You / Perceptive Hindsight / Never Always / Some Bones of Contention / Strike Out the Band / Autumn in New York / Dearly Befuddled / An Apple for Christa / Baby Blues
Phil Urso and Carl Saunders Salute Chet Baker Jumpin Off a Clef / For Minors Only / Halema / Mister B. / This Is The Thing / Funk In Deep Freeze / My Funny Valentine / Baby Breeze / Way To Go / Worryin The Life Out Of Me / Line For Lyons
Additional Resources
Carl Saunders - Selected Discography, Transcriptions |
