Stemsy Hunter

Stemsy Hunter
Birth nameHarold Hunter
OriginOmaha, Nebraska
Genressoul, rock, funk, blues
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Saxophone, flute, guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Years active1960s–present

Harold HUnter aka Stemziel "Stemsy" Hunter[1] is an American saxophonist and vocalist.[2][3] During the 1960s, he was a member of The Electric Flag.[3] 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.[4] He is also the owner of the Olive Branch Records label,[5][6][7] and a record producer.

Background

Hunter ⁠— like Buddy Miles and Herbie Rich ⁠— hails from Omaha, Nebraska.[8]

Career

1960s

As a young man, he was a member of the group led by Andrew Lewis called Andre Lewis & the New Breed.[9] Hunter, who was a friend of Buddy Miles was brought into the Electric Flag in 1968[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]

While with the band, he played at venues such as the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco, California.[12]

1970s

During the 1970s Hunter played contributed to recordings by various artists. He played on recordings by the group Maxayn. Along with Maxayn Lewis, Andre Lewis, Marlo Henderson, Emry Thomas and Hank Redd, he co-composed the track "Jam For Jack",[13] which appeared on the 1972 self-titled LP by Maxayn.[14] 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.[15]

1980s and 1990s

In 1989, Hunter along with Ken Wright co-produced the On The Rampage album for Guitar Shorty.[16] He was also the credited producer for the "On The Rampage" single.[17][18][19] 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.[20][9] He played alto sax on the Red Hot & Blues album by Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis which was released in 1996.[21]

2000s

Since the 2000s, Hunters 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.[22]

In 2018, Hunter was playing in a group called Curly Martin & Friends.[23]

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[24] Credited on LP notes
as Harold (Stemsie) Hunter
Gil Scott-Heron Real Eyes Arista – AL 9540 1980 "The Train From Washington", "A Legend In His Own Mind" alto saxophone[25]
Calvin Keys Full Court Press Olive Branch Records ER 5453A 1985 Co-producer, engineer aka Harold Hunter[26]
Guitar Shorty On The Rampage Olive Branch Records ER 5456 1989 co-producer[27]
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 4,6,8
lead vocals on (7) 		saxophone, keyboards, vocals[25]
Chicano Soul N Power Chicano 2 Da Bone F.M. 55002 (c)1996 alto sax
Jimmy Ellis Red, Hot & Blues Kris Records 8147 1996 alto saxophone[24]
Various artists Midwest Funk: Funk 45's from Tornado Alley Now-Again 5012 2004 undisclosed track(s) tenor sax Credited as Harold "Stems" Hunter[28]
Mike Bloomfield From His Head to His Heart to His Hands Columbia / Sony Legacy 1110689 2014 baritone sax Credited as Stemzie Hunter[29]

References

  1. ^ Larkin, C. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 2006. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Bogdanov, V.; Woodstra, C.; Erlewine, S.T. (2003). All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues. AMG all media guide. Backbeat Books. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-87930-736-3. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Larkin, C. (1995). The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Guinness Pub. p. 1321. ISBN 978-1-56159-176-3. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  4. ^ All Music Stemsy Hunter, Credits
  5. ^ Living Blues, Issues 95-100 Page 27, A
  6. ^ Living Blues, Issues 95-100 Page 27, B
  7. ^ TuneCore Artist Profile, Olive Branch Records
  8. ^ Reverb Nation Ron E Beck, Vocalist for Ron E Beck Soul Revue
  9. ^ a b Ugly Radio Rebellion Andre Lewis, Personal and Professional Resume' of Andre Lewis, The European Connection:
  10. ^ Michael Bloomfield - If You Love These Blues: An Oral History By Jan Mark Wolkin & Bill Keenom 1 5 Killing Floor, Peter Strazza
  11. ^ Michael Bloomfield: The Rise and Fall of an American Guitar Hero By Ed Ward, Billy Gibbons Chapter 11 "Mike Bloomfield Plugs in his Guitar and his Flag
  12. ^ a b Mike Bloomfield website Discography 1968-1981
  13. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series Volume 26, Part 5, Number 2, Section 1 Page 2060
  14. ^ Both Sides Now Publications Capricorn Album Discography By Patrice Eyries, Mike Callahan, and David Edwards
  15. ^ A Bridge to Success by Chuck Miller 4 The Fabulous Rhinestones Tour the U.S.
  16. ^ Discogs Guitar Shorty – On The Rampage
  17. ^ Discogs Guitar Shorty – On The Rampage
  18. ^ 45cat Record Details, Catalogue: ER 4544
  19. ^ Living Blues, Issues 95-100 Page 27
  20. ^ Rate Your Music Buddy Miles and the Mighty Rhythm Tribe
  21. ^ All Music Jimmy Ellis, Red, Hot & Blues
  22. ^ GigMasters Stems Hunter Smooth Jazz & Vocals
  23. ^ The Reader, February 1, 2018 - Jazz Comes Home by B.J. Huchtemann
  24. ^ a b All Music Harold Hunter, Credits
  25. ^ a b Discogs Stemsy Hunter Discography
  26. ^ Guitar Records Calvin Keys / Full Court Press[Olive Branch Records / ER 5453
  27. ^ Discogs Guitar Shorty – On The Rampage
  28. ^ All Music Various Artists, Midwest Funk: Funk 45's from Tornado Alley
  29. ^ All Music Mike Bloomfield, From His Head to His Heart to His Hands

Further reading