Carmen Mastren

Carmen Mastren
Birth name	Carmen Mastren
Born	6 October 1913
Origin	Cohoes, New York
Died	31 March 1981
Genres	Jazz
Instruments	guitar banjo violin
Associated acts	Tommy Dorsey

Carmen Mastren (born Carmine Mastrandrea, 6 October 1913 – 31 March 1981) was an American jazz guitarist, banjoist and violinist born in Cohoes, New York. Mastren is best remembered for his work from 1936–1941 with the Tommy Dorsey orchestra as a guitarist.

Biography

Mastren went professional as a musician in 1934 when he joined the Wingy Manone and Joe Marsala band. Mastren worked with a variety of musicians during his career, including Raymond Scott, Ray McKinley and Mel Powell. In the 1940s Mastren recorded with the Sidney Bechet and Muggsy Spanier "Big Four". During World War II he played with the Glenn Miller Air Force Band.

During the 1940s Mastren worked as musical director and conductor for Morton Downey, and from 1954–1970 Mastren played for The Today Show, The Tonight Show and Say When!! on NBC. Mastren died at 68 from a heart attack on March 31, 1981 at his home in Valley Stream on Long Island, NY.

Select discography

As bandleader

• Banjorama (Mercury Records)

With Wingy Manone & Joe Marsala

• The Delta Four (Decca Records)

With Dick Hyman And His Orchestra

• Satchmo Remembered: The Music Of Louis Armstrong At Carnegie Hall (Atlantic Records)

With Bobby Hackett

• Jazz Impressions Of Lionel Bart's "Oliver!" (Epic Records)

With Quincy Jones

• The Wiz Soundtrack (Universal/MCA)

With Tommy Dorsey

• Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Victor Records)
• The Song Is You w/ Frank Sinatra (RCA Records)
• Blue Orchids (Victor Records)

With Sidney Bechet & Muggsy Spanier

• Bechet-Spanier Quartet (Allegro Elite)

With Bud Freeman

• Jazz Vignettes on "Tea For Two" (Mercury Records)

With the Wolverine Orchestra

• Sensation (Gennett Records)