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.

While in Panama, he was very influenced by Panamanian latin music and jazz scene as well as his West Indian heritage and calypso music. He was then heavily influenced by James Moody , Paul Desmond , Zoot Sims among other saxophonists.

Moved to New York from Panama in 1962, where he played at jam sessions with upcoming icons such as Rashied Ali and Roland Alexander as well as in jazz organ trios and rock groups.

Would go on to play and record with Freddie Hubbard 1968-1969, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers 1969-1970, Andrew Hill 1969-1970, Charles Mingus 1970, Miles Davis 1972, Pharaoh Sanders 1972, and others. From 1970 led a number of large ensembles combining jazz with samba, Afro-Cuban, calypso and rock. His group “The Universal Black Force,” was a pioneering presence in the Afrocentric and Afrofuturist movements of the early 1970s.

Carlos 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) which opened the path for musicians like Dee Dee Bridgewater. Also collaborated on several of Norman Connors albums of the 1970's providing arranging and some of his compositions.

Other collaborations include: Milt Ward , James Mtume , Robin Kenyatta , Charles Earland among others

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 and Moon Shadow on Highnote among other recordings.

His autobiography "Mango Tree Musician" written with Jaime J. Ortiz is now available from McFarland Press Publishing.