A fine soloist on both tenor and alto who is able to play mainstream, bop and hard bop with equal facility, Carmen Leggio was always quite reliable no matter what the setting. He started on clarinet when he was 11 and saxophones three years later. After playing in local bands, Leggio came to New York City in 1950 where he worked with Terry Gibbs and became a studio musician. Most notable among his musical associations have been Marty Napoleon, Sol Yaged (1956), Benny Goodman (1957), Maynard Ferguson's Orchestra (1958-59), Woody Herman (1963) and during the late 1970's the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Carmen Leggio has led albums for Jazz Unlimited (1961), Progressive (1977), Famous Door (1978), Dreamstreet (1978), his own Leggio label (1979) and a sampler set for Mothlight Music (1978-93). ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide