Karl Hunter is a Southern California based multi-instrumentalist, clinician and 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 since 1996.
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 Loggins, Robben Ford, Arturo Sandoval, Asleep At The Wheel, Stanton Moore, Stefon Harris, Rick Nielsen, Will Kennedy, Tom "Bones" Malone, Brian Lynch, and many others.
While touring for more than two decades, Karl has played in all 50 U.S. states and in 20 countries internationally. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has played more than 2,500 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 9 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, and Melrose Place. The band has even recorded post-humously with 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 soul legend Solomon Burke.
Karl's television appearances include Dancing with the Stars, Conan O'Brian, The Tonight Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, ESPY Awards, the Macy's Day Parade, Carson Daly, 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.
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 Rico Reeds.
