Alto Reed

Alto Reed
Name	Alto Reed
Caption	Alto Reed performing with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band in 2010
Birth name	Thomas Neal Cartmell
Birth date	1948-05-16
Birth place	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Death date	2020-12-30
Death place	Novi, Michigan, United States
Instruments	Saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
Genres	Rock and roll, blues rock, heartland rock, rhythm and blues
Occupations	Musician, sideman, composer
Years active	1967–2020
Associated acts	Bob Seger, Silver Bullet Band, The Motor City Five, The Decoys, Funk Brothers, Grand Funk Railroad, The Temptations, Iggy Pop, Steve Miller Band, Glenn Frey, Mitch Ryder

Alto Reed was an American saxophonist best known for his long tenure as the principal saxophone soloist for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. He became prominent in the 1970s for memorable solos on recordings and performances that contributed to the sound of heartland rock and classic rock. Reed's career encompassed extensive session work, regional influence in Detroit and national tours with major recording artists, along with collaborations spanning R&B, soul, and rock.

Early life and education

Born Thomas Neal Cartmell in Detroit, Michigan, Reed grew up amid the postwar cultural milieu of Motown Records and the Detroit music scene. He attended local schools near Cobo Hall and was influenced by performances at venues such as The Grande Ballroom and The Tiger Stadium concerts. Reed studied music informally with regional saxophonists and participated in ensembles connected to Wayne State University and community programs tied to Detroit Public Schools. Early musical influences included recordings from John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, King Curtis, Junior Walker, and the studio work of the Funk Brothers.

Career with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

Reed joined Bob Seger’s touring ensemble in the early 1970s, becoming a fixture with the Silver Bullet Band during the rise of albums like Night Moves (Bob Seger album), Beautiful Loser, and Live Bullet. His solos on tracks such as the title song of Night Moves (Bob Seger album) and live renditions recorded at venues like Cobo Arena helped define Seger’s concert sound and radio hits. Reed toured extensively on bills with acts including Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and appeared on televised events linked to Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and major benefit concerts. His role in the band connected him to record labels such as Capitol Records, promoters like Bill Graham Presents, and festivals including The US Festival.

Session work and collaborations

Outside the Silver Bullet Band, Reed contributed saxophone to recordings and tours for artists across genres, performing with Iggy Pop on Passenger (Iggy Pop album) era shows, adding horn lines for Glenn Frey sessions, and appearing on projects by Grand Funk Railroad, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, Aretha Franklin, Alice Cooper, Steve Miller Band, Mitch Ryder, The Rationals, and Wilson Pickett. He recorded with producers affiliated with Motown Records and studios like United Sound Systems and Hitsville U.S.A., and collaborated with session musicians tied to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio projects. Reed's sideman work extended to live performances with orchestras and benefit concerts supporting organizations such as Americares and Habitat for Humanity.

Musical style and instruments

Reed’s style fused the phrasing of jazz tenor saxophonists with the raw attack of R&B horn work found in Detroit recordings; he favored lyrical, emotive solos that complemented vocal-driven rock arrangements. Instrumentation-wise, he primarily used tenor saxophone and occasional baritone saxophone and soprano saxophone on studio and stage. Reed employed mouthpieces and reeds consistent with rock and soul players of his era, often choosing setups similar to those favored by King Curtis and Junior Walker. His tone and solo construction showed an awareness of practitioners like Illinois Jacquet, Gene Ammons, Stan Getz, and session leaders from Stax Records sessions.

Personal life

Reed lived in suburban Detroit areas and remained active in regional cultural institutions such as the Detroit Music Awards and local music education initiatives. He associated with peers from The Four Tops, Bob Seger alumni, and musicians in the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends community. Reed participated in charitable events tied to Children’s Hospital of Michigan and supported scholarship funds connected to Wayne State University and arts programs in Oakland County, Michigan.

Health, death, and legacy

Reed experienced health challenges during his later years and died in late 2020 in Novi, Michigan. Following his death, tributes came from fellow musicians, music institutions, and media outlets covering classic rock and the Detroit music scene. Reed’s solos remain staples on classic rock radio playlists and are studied by saxophonists in programs associated with Berklee College of Music, Juilliard School, and regional conservatories. His influence is cited by contemporary artists in retrospectives at institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and his recorded work with Bob Seger and others is preserved in collections held by archives such as the Library of Congress and university music libraries.

Category:American saxophonists Category:People from Detroit, Michigan Category:1948 births Category:2020 deaths