Karl Hunter

I use an Ambika 7* metal and an Ambika 7* hard rubber on tenor, a Gaia 7*on soprano and a Theo Wanne prototype mouthpiece on Alto. I really dig how the Ambikas make my tenor sound. They are open in the upper register but retain a warm sound. And the sound remains warm throughout the horn. Articulation is aided as well as the Ambika has a big centered sound. Altissimo notes are open a very easy to achieve and manipulate. Pitch is centered, especially in the palm keys, which can be problematic with some mouthpieces. I really like how versatile the Ambika piece is. I can approximate an ol’ school Coleman Hawkins/ Sam Butera sound AND a modern Michael Brecker/ Lenny Pickett sound by just adjusting my embouchure. The last thing you want to be thinking about on stage is why you can’t achieve the note or sound you desire because you are fighting with your mouthpiece. Theo’s mouthpieces let me create without any distractions. I’m very pleased and honored to be a part of the Theo Wanne Artist family.

Karl Hunter is a Southern California based multi-instrumentalist, Studio Musician, Clinician and Music Educator. He is best known for being the featured saxophone soloist with The contemporary, multi Platinum selling, Grammy nominated swing band, “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy”, of which he has been a member for 21 years. Karl has played for four U.S. presidents and has performed on stage with: Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, Joey McIntyre, En Vogue, Little Richard, B.B King, Solomon Burke, Hank Crawford, Bo Diddley, Duke Robillard, Ruth Brown, Jonny Lang, Kenny Logins, Robben Ford, Arturo Sandoval. Asleep At The Wheel, Stanton Moore, Stephon Harris, Rick Nielsen, Will Kennedy, Tom “Bones” Malone. Brian Lynch and many others. While touringfor more then two decades, Karl has played in all 50 U.S. states, and in 20 countries Internationally. As of 2017 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has played more then 2700 shows. Their touring schedule is so successful and extensive they were awarded the coveted Pollstar award from the concert tour industry, trade publication, Pollstar. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Symphonic show has led to collaborations on stage with over 35 U.S. Orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony , Atlanta Symphony , Pittsburgh Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, U.S. Air Force orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. Karl has recorded 11 studio albums with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy that have sold over 3 million copies. Big Bad Voodoo daddy’s music has been featured numerous times on television and movie soundtracks including: “Swinger’s” , “Never been Kissed”, “Three to Tango”, “Scooby Doo”, “Phineas and Ferb”, “The Wild”, “Dancing with The Stars”, “So you think you can Dance”, “Friends”, “Malcom in the Middle”, “Third rock from the Sun” (theme song), “Party of Five”, “Ally Mcbeal”, “Titans”, and “Melrose Place”. The band has even recorded post-humously with the Rat Pack legend Dean Martin on the Dean Martin album “Forever Cool.” Some of Karl’s other studio work outside of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy includes recordings with Rap mogul, Dr. Dre, funk legends Blood Stone and the Soul Legend, Solomon Burke. Karl’s television appearances include: Dancing with the Stars, Conan O’Brian, Jay Leno (8 times), Live with Regis and Kelly, ESPY Awards (house band 3 years), the Macy’s day Parade, Carson Daly (house band) , Total Request Live, Ally Mcbeal, Melrose Place, Two heavily rotated videos on MTV, an animated guest appearance on Scooby Doo, and most notably, the 1999 XXXIII NFL Super Bowl Half time Show. For over 2 decades, Karl and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have trumpeted the cause of music education. While endorsees of the Selmer company, the band held a annual High School contest. The winning schools each year were awarded clinics and concerts from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s horn section. As of early 2014, the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy horn section is happy to report their new relationship with Yamaha musical instruments and eager to continue to share their passion for music Education. Karl’s playing has been described as inventive, explosive, and on occasion, relentless. Karl Is a featured clinician and sponsored performer for Yamaha Saxophones, Theo Wanne mouthpieces, and D’Addario (Rico) Reeds.