Stemsy Hunter
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Harold Hunter aka Stemziel "Stemsy" Hunter is an American saxophonist and vocalist. During the 1960s, he was a member of The Electric Flag. 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.
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", 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. He played alto sax on the Red Hot & Blues album by Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis which was released in 1996.
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 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 | |
| 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 4,6,8 lead vocals on (7) | saxophone, keyboards, vocals |
| 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 | ||
| Various artists | Midwest Funk: Funk 45's from Tornado Alley | Now-Again 5012 | 2004 | undisclosed track(s) | tenor sax | Credited as Harold "Stems" Hunter |
| Mike Bloomfield | From His Head to His Heart to His Hands | Columbia / Sony Legacy 1110689 | 2014 | baritone sax | Credited as Stemzie Hunter |
Further reading
- . R. R. Bowker. 1972. p. 47. Stemsy Hunter, from the old Electric Flag days, contributes a strong alto to the Express. Lengthy selections predominate (five at more than twelve minutes), giving much time for solo performances. Otherwise, much of the music is a tight blend ...
- Oliver, N. (2002). . Music/reference. Virgin. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-85227-987-5.