Biography

Karl Hunter is a Southern California based multi-instrumentalist, Studio Musician, Clinician and Music Educator. He is best known for being the featured saxophone soloist with the multi Platinum selling, grammy nominated, contemporary swing band, "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy", of which he has been a member for 27 years.

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, Simon Philips, Solomon Burke, Hank Crawford, Bo Diddley, Duke Robillard, Ruth Brown, Jonny Lang, Kenny Logins,  Robben Ford, Arturo Sandoval. Asleep At The Wheel, Stephon Harris, Rick Nielsen, Will Kennedy, Tom "Bones" Malone. Brian Lynch, Jeff Coffin, Ron Blake, Steve Smith, and many others.

While touring for more then three decades, Karl has played in all 50 U.S. states, and in 20 countries Internationally.  As of January of 2020 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has played over 3000 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 10 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", "Titans", and "Melrose Place". The band has even recorded post-humously with the 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 the Soul Legend, Solomon Burke.

Karl's television appearances include: Dancing with the Stars, Conan O'Brian, Jay Leno (8 times), Live with Regis and Kelly, ESPY Awards (house band 3 years), the Macy's day Parade, Carson Daly (house band) , 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 with Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan.

For over 20 years Karl and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have trumpeted the cause of music education. While endorsees of the Selmer company, the band held an annual High School contest. The winning schools each year were awarded clinics and concerts from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s horn section.

Since 2014, the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy horn section endorses Yamaha musical instruments, and continue to share their passion for music Education through clinics and outreach. 

Karl Is a featured clinician and  endorses  Yamaha Saxophones and  Clarinets & Theo Wanne mouthpieces.