Carl Saunders

Carl Saunders (b. Indianapolis, August 2, 1942 - ) – Trumpet player, composer, and educator. The nephew of bandleader Bobby Sherwood (see below under “Actors”), Carl Saunders spent his earliest years on the road with his mother Gail, who sang with the Bobby Sherwood Orchestra and later with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. At age five, Saunders moved to Los Angeles with his mother and learned the trumpet in the seventh grade, playing mainly by ear. Following in the footsteps of his mother and uncle, Carl has been a member of many famous groups including the Stan Kenton Orchestra (1961-62 in the mellophone section), the Bobby Sherwood Orchestra (playing drums, 1962-63), countless Las Vegas show bands (1960s, 1970s, early 1980s), the Bill Holman Orchestra (1984 – present), and the Dave Pell Octet (1994 – present). In addition, he has also led his own groups (a big band, sextet, and quartet) and has toured as lead trumpet player with the bands of Harry James, Benny Goodman, Maynard Ferguson, and Charlie Barnet.