Mango Tree Musician: The Carlos Garnett Autobiography - Paperback

by Carlos Garnett (Author), Jaime J. Ortiz (Author)

Saxophonist Carlos Garnett, despite being blind in his later years, was an integral part of Miles Davis' nonet. His pivotal roles extended beyond live performances to studio work during the "On the Corner" era in 1972. Though he was born in a community of laborers who worked for the Panama Canal Company, his talent and work ethic led him to perform with some of the world's most notable musicians. Garnett's upbringing had influences from various cultures, including Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados, which informed his later musical fusions.

This autobiography traces Carlos Garnett's journey from his native, segregated town of Red Tank, now erased from modern maps. After establishing himself as a prominent musician in his homeland, Garnett left for Brooklyn, NY. There, he worked with Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, Andrew Hill, Mtume James, Norman Connors and of course, Miles Davis. Garnett's original albums for Muse Records showcased his musical fusions, highlighting his talents as a composer, arranger, and instrumentalist.

Author Biography

The late Carlos Garnett was a Panamanian-born jazz saxophonist, a gifted soloist, composer and bandleader. Jaime J. Ortiz is a Panamanian record collector, musician and writer. A big fan of Carlos Garnett since his teens, he produced Carlos' final live jazz performance, and they became close friends ever since. He then convinced Carlos to start documenting his life works and is now considered his official biographer.