Carmen Mastern born 6 October 1913

Carmen Mastren (born Carmine Nicholas Mastrandrea, 6 October 1913 – 31 March 1981) was an American jazz guitarist, banjoist, and violinist who was a member of the Tommy Dorsey orchestra from 1936–1941. He was a superior rhythm guitarist who uplifted many sessions with his subtle playing but was rarely in the spotlight himself.

Sid Weiss, Carmen Mastren, Wingy Mannone and Joe Marsala.

Born in New York as one of four musician brothers and two sisters, he started out playing banjo and violin before specializing in guitar. He played in a family band and in 1931 became a professional. His tight, fleet four-to-the-bar and agile solos were first heard with Wingy Manone in New York in 1935. The following year he replaced Mac Cheikes in Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra for a five year stay. By 1939 his work with Dorsey had put him at number one in Down Beat’s guitar poll.

Glem Miller

In 1940 Mastren recorded with the Sidney Bechet -Muggsy Spanier Big Four, probably his most famous recordings. He worked with Joe Marsala from 1940-41, then played for a short time with the Ernie Holst orchestra. A capable reader and versatile creative soloist, Mastren was a natural for radio work and from 1941 he worked regularly for N.B.C. along with Raymond Scott and Bob Chester before joining Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force Band to form part of the unbeatable rhythm section that included Mel Powell. Trigger Alpert and Ray McKinley. During the 1940’s Mastren won three Metronome magazine guitarist of the year awards.

After his discharge he returned to New York, but his attention seemed to be more oriented towards conducting and composing. He discovered that light music gave him greater economic satisfaction and progressively neglects jazz. He became accompanist to Morton Downey, providing music for Songs By Morton Downey on CBS-Radio (1948); The Morton Downey Show (Mohawk Showroom) on NBC-TV (1949). Mastren also worked with Raymond Scott, Ray McKinley and Mel Powell.

                               

In 1953 Mastren rejoined N.B.C. where until 1970 he played for –The Today Show, The Tonight Show and Say When!!. He also recorded a single, "Spaghetti Rag," with Robert Maxwell in the mid-1950s. Mastren only released one album under his own name in 1967, the spectacular looking and sounding Banjorama on Mercury. Mastren demonstrated his technical prowess with his banjo on the album, backed by a veteran band of session men including guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and pianist Dick Hyman  (appearing as "The Renowned Ricardo").

In the 1970’s Mastren went freelance , writing jingles and playing with the New York Jazz Repertory Company and recording with them on guitar and banjo. By the end of the decade he was taking things easy and working round New York with singer Betty Comora, amongst others. He also appeared in the 1980 film “Stardust Memories as a cabaret patron.

Mastren died at age 68 from a heart attack on March 31, 1981 at his home in Valley Stream on Long Island, New York. In the history of jazz his contribution remains, especially in the Thirties and Forties, that of one of the greatest and most significant acoustic guitarists, an ideal continuator of the path traced by Eddie Lang and Dick McDonough.

(Edited from Wikipedia, Rough Guide to Jazz, AllMusic & Daily Green)