Benny Carter (1907-2003) was a true jazz virtuoso. His mother taught him to play piano, then he picked up the trumpet (which you'll hear on this song), then he switched to the sax. By his teens, he sat in with many jazz orchestras in Harlem. Mention a jazz great and Benny Carter played with him. He even led this own orchestra for a time. In the 1930's he was one of the premier alto saxophonists.
As for Roy Felton, the singer on 'More Than You Know,' here's what Earl Coleman, another jazz singer said about him: "Roy Felton’s one of the greatest singers that ever lived. I’ve seen him lay Mr. B [Billy Eckstine] to rest, at Mr. B’s peak! This isn’t hearsay, I’m telling you what I know."
Written in 1929, this version of the song was recorded ten years later. Since then, many singers have given it a go. Been in several movies, but this is the version that sticks in my memory and in my heart.
