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.All Music Stemsy Hunter, Credits He is also the owner of the Olive Branch Records label,Living Blues, Issues 95-100 Page 27, ALiving Blues, Issues 95-100 Page 27, BTuneCore Artist Profile, Olive Branch Records and a record producer.
Background Hunter — like Buddy Miles and Herbie Rich — hails from Omaha, Nebraska.Reverb Nation Ron E Beck, Vocalist for Ron E Beck Soul Revue
Career 1960s As a young man, he was a member of the group led by Andrew Lewis called Andre Lewis & the New Breed.Ugly Radio Rebellion Andre Lewis, Personal and Professional Resume' of Andre Lewis, The European Connection: Hunter, who was a friend of Buddy Miles was brought into the Electric Flag in 1968Michael Bloomfield - If You Love These Blues: An Oral History By Jan Mark Wolkin & Bill Keenom 1 5 Killing Floor, Peter Strazza 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.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 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.Mike Bloomfield website Discography 1968-1981
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",Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series Volume 26, Part 5, Number 2, Section 1 Page 2060 which appeared on the 1972 self-titled LP by Maxayn.Both Sides Now Publications Capricorn Album Discography By Patrice Eyries, Mike Callahan, and David Edwards 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.A Bridge to Success by Chuck Miller 4 The Fabulous Rhinestones Tour the U.S.
1980s and 1990s In 1989, Hunter along with Ken Wright co-produced the On The Rampage album for Guitar Shorty.Discogs Guitar Shorty – On The Rampage He was also the credited producer for the "On The Rampage" single.Discogs Guitar Shorty – On The Rampage45cat Record Details, Catalogue: ER 4544Living Blues, Issues 95-100 Page 27 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.Rate Your Music Buddy Miles and the Mighty Rhythm Tribe He played alto sax on the Red Hot & Blues album by Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis which was released in 1996.All Music Jimmy Ellis, Red, Hot & Blues
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.GigMasters Stems Hunter Smooth Jazz & Vocals
In 2018, Hunter was playing in a group called Curly Martin & Friends.The Reader, February 1, 2018 - Jazz Comes Home by B.J. Huchtemann
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 saxophoneAll Music Harold Hunter, Credits Credited on LP notesas Harold (Stemsie) Hunter Gil Scott-Heron Real Eyes Arista – AL 9540 1980 "The Train From Washington", "A Legend In His Own Mind"alto saxophoneDiscogs Stemsy Hunter Discography Calvin Keys Full Court Press Olive Branch Records ER 5453A 1985 Co-producer, engineer aka Harold HunterGuitar Records Calvin Keys / Full Court Press[Olive Branch Records / ER 5453 Guitar Shorty On The Rampage Olive Branch Records ER 5456 1989 co-producerDiscogs Guitar Shorty – On The Rampage 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 4,6,8lead 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" HunterAll Music Various Artists, Midwest Funk: Funk 45's from Tornado Alley Mike Bloomfield From His Head to His Heart to His Hands Columbia / Sony Legacy 1110689 2014 baritone sax Credited as Stemzie HunterAll Music Mike Bloomfield, From His Head to His Heart to His Hands
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External links All Music credits