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Harry Carney

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Harry Carney was a jazz saxophonist and clarinettist who played for more than forty years in Duke Ellington's orchestra. He was born on 1 April 1910 in Boston and grew up close to Johnny Hodges, his later colleague. He started on piano at seven, switched to clarinet at fourteen and took up the alto saxophone a year later. His models included Buster Bailey, Sidney Bechet and Don Murray.

Music and breakthrough

At seventeen he played with Ellington for the first time, in Boston in 1927, and in October of that year made his first recordings with him. He stayed with the band until the end of his life. From 1928 the baritone saxophone became his main instrument, and on that instrument he was for a long time without real rivals, until the bebop era in the mid-1940s. He co-wrote Rockin' in Rhythm and played the bubbling clarinet solo in it. Later he also took up the bass clarinet.

Influence

In the sound of the Ellington orchestra, Carney's baritone often filled in voices above the obvious low register, which changed the colour of the whole. Ellington wrote many pieces for him, and in 1973 he built the Third Sacred Concert around his instrument. Carney was also the man who drove Ellington across the country. He died on 8 October 1974, four months after Ellington.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Rockin' in Rhythm by the Ellington orchestra. Notice the clarinet solo that Carney co-wrote, and then try to hear the deep, round sound of his baritone saxophone in other pieces by the band.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists