Musicians - Harry Carney

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	Musicians - Harry Carney

Harry Howell Carney (1910 - 1974) was a jazz baritone saxophone player best known for his 45 year tenure in Duke Ellington's band. Carney started off in Ellington's band playing alto, but soon switched to the baritone. His strong, steady saxophone often serves as the anchor of Duke's music.

Early Years

Harry Howell Carney was born in 1910 in Boston, Massachusetts. At seventeen he ran off to join Duke Ellington's orchestra starting first on clarinet and eventually moving on to Baritone Saxophone. Even at that age he was the "master of the deep-voiced baritone saxophone".

Carney and Duke

Carney was the longest lasting player in Duke Ellington's band. He was always there and on occasions when Ellington was missing he took over as conductor. Ellington and Carney were close friends. The majority of their careers they rode together in Carney's car to concerts, allowing Ellington to come up with new ideas.

Noteriety

While not the first baritone saxophonist in jazz, Carney was certainly the first major performer on the instrument, and his sound influenced several generations of musicians.

He was an early jazz proponent of circular breathing. He was also Hamiet Bluiett's favoritve Baritone Saxophone player because he "never saw anybody else stop time" in reference to a concert Bluiett attended where Carney held a note during which all else went silent.

Carney made a few recordings as a bandleader, and also recorded with Lionel Hampton.

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