Bennett Lester "
Benny"
Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American
jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him
King. Carter performed with major artists from several generations of jazz, and at major festivals, such as his 1958 appearance with
Billie Holiday at the
Monterey Jazz Festival.