Benny Carter

[Late]

Why has there never been a Benny Carter Mosaic? And what's your favorite period of Benny's music in general?

[jazzbo]

Probably a licensing challenge for a Benny Carter set, and possibly sizing issues. I really haven't been into Benny Carter a lot during my jazz journey. I would probably say the Verve years would be my "favorite period."

Edited 7 hours ago by jazzbo

[Big Beat Steve]

If you look beyond the Norman Granz Jam Sessions that Benny Carter participated in, IMO his Verve years, while certainly fine, tend to be rather middle-of-the-roadish, i.e. mainstreamish on safe ground, and probably not all that distinctive above and beyond what else there was in major-label mainstream recordings of the 50s. 
And quite a few noteworthy recordings that he put his special touches to were under the leadership of others. 

Personally I find his early 30s and late 30s and 40s big band recordings as well as his European recordings from the "in-between" 30s period more stimulating to explore as a whole. But of course YMMV. 

[felser]

My favorite I'm aware of is the 'Further Definitions' album on Impulse!, but that may well be a function of the sidemen and my taste, rather than it being artistically superior to his other work.

[sonnymax]

Benny Carter, trumpet, alto sax; Frank Rosolino, trombone; Ben Webster, tenor sax; Andre Previn or Jimmie Rowles, piano; Barney Kessel, guitar; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Shelly Manne, drums. Los Angeles, June 11 & 22, 1957. Contemporary C3555; Stereo S7028.

Edited 3 hours ago by sonnymax

[jlhoots]

2 hours ago, felser said:

My favorite I'm aware of is the 'Further Definitions' album on Impulse!, but that may well be a function of the sidemen and my taste, rather than it being artistically superior to his other work.

+1

[Late]

The Complete 1930-1940 Recordings

Recommended! There's a single disc out on JSP (1933-1934) that's also good.

[Peter Friedman]

I especially enjoy his recordings for the 70's,  80's & 90's .

Along with Further Definitions already mentioned a few times, here are some others I like.

Still some more: