About Carlos Garnett
Lived 1938 – 2023 (aged 84). Carlos Garnett was a Panamanian composer, jazz musician and saxophonist.
Carlos Garnett (December 1, 1938 – March 3, 2023) was a Panamanian-American jazz saxophonist.
Biography Garnett was born on December 1, 1938, in Red Tank, Panama Canal Zone.He became interested in jazz after hearing the music of Louis Jordan and James Moody in short films. He taught himself to play saxophone as a teenager and played with soldiers from the nearby United States Army base. In 1957 he started playing in calypso and latin music groups. His group recorded five albums for three years between 1974 and 1977 on Muse, notably Journey to Enlightenment, Black Love, and Let This Melody Ring On. He began performing again in 1991
Garnett performed at three editions of the annual Panama Jazz Festival. The 9th Annual Panama Jazz Festival in 2012, organized by Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez, was dedicated to Carlos Garnett in recognition of his contribution to music.
Garnett was invited to perform in Japan, where they were interested in his earlier "funk" music, and in Austria twice. His album Shekina's Smile was named after his daughter.
Garnett died on March 3, 2023, at the age of 84.
Discography As leader Journey to Enlightenment (Muse, 1974) Black Love (Muse, 1974) Let This Melody Ring On (Muse, 1975) Cosmos Nucleus (Muse, 1976) The New Love (Muse, 1977) Resurgence (Muse, 1996) Fuego En Mi Alma (HighNote, 1996) Under Nubian Skies (HighNote, 1999) Moon Shadow (Savant, 2001)
As sideman With Miles Davis In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall (Columbia, 1972) On the Corner (Columbia, 1972) Big Fun (Columbia, 1974) Get Up with It (Columbia, 1974)
With Norman Connors Dance of Magic (1972) Dark of Light (1973) Love from the Sun (Buddah, 1974) Slewfoot (1975) Saturday Night Special (1976)
With Pharoah Sanders Black Unity, (Impulse!, 1971) Live at the East (Impulse!, 1972)
With others A Soul Experiment, Freddie Hubbard (Atlantic, 1969) Jazz Messengers '70, Art Blakey (Catalyst, 1970) Lift Every Voice, Andrew Hill (Blue Note, 1970) Understanding, Roy Brooks (Reel to Real, recorded 1970) What Was, What Is, What Will Be, Kenny Gill (Warner Bros, 1970) Terra Nova, Robin Kenyatta (1973) I'll Do Anything for You, Denroy Morgan (1991) Slammin' & Jammin, Charles Earland (1998) Jersey Blues, Woody Shaw (2004) Ghetto Child, Charley Anderson (2008)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Carlos Garnett's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Carlos Garnett's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Carlos Garnett?
Panamanian-American musician
When was Carlos Garnett born?
Carlos Garnett was born on 1 December 1938 in Panama Canal Zone.
When did Carlos Garnett die?
Carlos Garnett died on 3 March 2023.
What was Carlos Garnett's occupation?
Carlos Garnett was a composer, jazz musician and saxophonist.
What nationality was Carlos Garnett?
Carlos Garnett was Panamanian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Carlos Garnett. https://biography.guide/carlos-garnett/
MLA: "Carlos Garnett." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/carlos-garnett/.
Chicago: "Carlos Garnett." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/carlos-garnett/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:16 UTC