Stemsy Hunter

Harold Hunter aka Stemziel "Stemsy" Hunter is an American saxophonist and vocalist. He has also played on recordings by Buddy Miles, as well as being a member of Miles's band. Other artists to whose recordings he has contributed are by Crackin' and Gil Scott-Heron. He is also the owner of the Olive Branch Records label, and a record producer.

Background Hunter ⁠— like Buddy Miles and Herbie Rich ⁠— hails from Omaha, Nebraska.

Career 1960s As a young man, he was a member of the group led by Andrew Lewis called Andre Lewis & the New Breed. Hunter, who was a friend of Buddy Miles was brought into the Electric Flag in 1968 when the band were encountering some problems. Members Marcus Doubleday and Peter Strazza were on the verge of getting fired. saxophonist Herbie Rich was doubling on sax and organ as Mike Fonfara who was on organ had just left. Possibly as a result of the drug issues involving some other members of the band, Hunter and Herbie Rich were tied up and robbed by drug dealers and taken Peter Strazza hostage with Buddy Miles and Mike Bloomfield in another room sleeping through the whole event.

While with the band, he played at venues such as the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco, California. which appeared on the 1972 self-titled LP by Maxayn. In the last quarter of 1973, Hunter joined a group called The Fabulous Rhinestones, which also included Kal David, Marty Grebb, Jack Sarangella and Harvey Brooks.

1980s and 1990s In 1989, Hunter along with Ken Wright co-produced the On The Rampage album for Guitar Shorty. He was also the credited producer for the "On The Rampage" single. He teamed up with his childhood friends, Buddy Miles, Andre Lewis, Billy Rich, and Marlo Henderson in the group Buddy Miles and the Mighty Rhythm Tribe for the Tribe Vibe album that was released in 1993.

2000s Since the 2000s, Hunter's work has included his solo act which covers styles from R&B and Jazz to some country music. He has also worked on Norwegian Cruise Lines as a performer for at least seven years.

In 2018, Hunter was playing in a group called Curly Martin & Friends.

Appearances / session work Artist Title Release info Year Track(s) Role Notes John Simon / The Electric Flag You Are What You Eat Columbia Masterworks OS 3240 1968 "Freakout" alto saxophone Various artists album from the film You Are What You Eat The Electric Flag An American Music Band Columbia CS 9714 1968 "Soul Searchin'""With Time There Is Change" arranger (horns)vocals Saxophone on various tracks The Electric Flag Featuring Erma Franklin Live 1968 RockBeat Records – ROC-CD-3311 2015 Alto saxophone Buddy Miles A Message to the People Mercury SRM 1-608 1970 alto saxophone, backing vocals Buddy Miles Buddy Miles Live Mercury – SRM-2-7500 1971 Maxayn Maxayn Capricorn Records CP 0103 1972 "You Can't Always Get What You Want", Gimme Shelter""Jam For Jack""Doing Nothing, Nothing Doing" alto saxophone on all except for "Doing Nothing, Nothing Doing" (flute)Also co-composer on "Jam For Jack" Maxayn Mindful Capricorn Records CP 0110 1973 "Good Things", "Stone Crazy""Check Out Your Mind", "I Want To Rest My Mind" horns arranger Buddy Miles More Miles Per Gallon Casablanca NBLP 7019 1975 alto saxophone, backing vocals, percussion Crackin' Crackin' Warner Bros. Records BS 3123 1977 "The Force Is Watching You" alto saxophonist, soloist Nanette Workman Nanette Workman Pacha PAC-11205 1977 alto saxophone B & G Rhythm B & G Rhythm Polydor PD-1-6132 1978 alto saxophone Credited on LP notesas Harold (Stemsie) Hunter Gil Scott-Heron Real Eyes Arista – AL 9540 1980 "The Train From Washington", "A Legend In His Own Mind"alto saxophone Calvin Keys Full Court Press Olive Branch Records ER 5453A 1985 Co-producer, engineer aka Harold Hunter Guitar Shorty On The Rampage Olive Branch Records ER 5456 1989 co-producer Buddy Miles And The Mighty Rhythm Tribe The Mighty Rhythm Tribe Lakeside LAKE 2020 1993 (4) "Do Me A Favour", (6) "Tribe Vibe",(7) "Please Don't Stop My Heart"(8) "Sugar Baby" saxophone solo on 4,6,8lead vocals on (7) saxophone, keyboards, vocals Mike Bloomfield From His Head to His Heart to His Hands Columbia / Sony Legacy 1110689 2014 baritone sax Credited as Stemzie Hunter