Carlos Garnett

Panamanian jazz tenor saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger and singer. Born December 1, 1938 in Red Tank, Panama Canal Zone. Died March 3, 2023.

Moved to New York from Panama in 1962, where he played with rock groups and was influenced by free jazz and bop saxophonists. Played and recorded with [a=Freddie Hubbard] 1968-1969, [a=Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers] 1969-1970, [a=Andrew Hill] 1969-1970, [a=Charles Mingus] 1970, [a=Miles Davis] 1972, [a=Pharaoh Sanders] 1972, and others. From 1970 led a number of large ensembles combining jazz with samba, Afro-Cuban, calypso and rock. Released five albums in the mid 1970s on Muse, including possibly his best known Black Love (featuring Mother Of The Future and Banks Of The Nile). Also collaborated on several of Norman Connors albums of the 1970's providing arranging and some of his compositions.

Did a few scarce recordings in the 1980s, but returned in the 1990s with new music for his albums Resurgence, Fuego En Mi Alma, Under Nubian Skies on Highnote among other recordings.