Jean-Francois Bonnel is a reed player best known for his decade as one of the solo stars of the Hot Antic Jazz Band. In the mid-1980s Bonnel became intrigued by the playing of Benny Carter and he developed the ability to sound exactly like the altoist. Rather than merely duplicating Carter’s solos or playing his songs, Bonnel has delved so deep into the style that, when he wants, he can play solos (in Carter’s tone) that sound like something Benny Carter might very well have created but never actually did.
Benny Carter had a thoughtful and very personal solo style along with the sound that, while immediately recognizable, was rarely emulated by others. He was an influence on every one from Hilton Jefferson and Ben Webster to Cannonball Adderley, and Charlie Parker was a fan. Always ranking among the top five altoists whether it was 1927 or 1997, Carter was a reliable professional who may not have gained that many headlines but was universally respected by his peers and the many generations of jazz artists who followed. Not just an altoist, he also played trumpet and clarinet, wrote some standards, and was a masterful arranger.
With Thanks To Benny Carter has Bonnel joined by the great Los Angeles-based stride pianist Chris Dawson (who, like Bonnel, can play in several different styles depending on the setting), drummer Francois Laudet and, on six of the ten selections, singe
