|
|
|
| |
|
|
Born in Detroit, Michigan to a musical family, James Carter began playing saxophone at age 11. His musical development was led, in large part, by local bebop veteran Donald Washington who imparted his special brand of wisdom and technique. After summers at Blue Lake Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Camp, James attracted the attention of the late Lester Bowie, who invited James to make his New York City debut with his New York Organ Ensemble.
Carter arrived in the Big Apple in 1990 and quickly started making a name for himself, performing with Bowie, Julius Hemphill’s saxophone sextet, vocalist Betty Carter, and with the Marsalis Big Band at Lincoln Center. He made a showcase contribution in 1991’s critically acclaimed Tough Young Tenors, a track ranked by The New York Times as one of the years’ Top 10 recordings and one that tuned many an ear in to the uniquely powerful Carter sound.
With his 1995 release of The Real Quietstorm, a ballad-infused collection that earned him both standing ovations and critical accolades of the highest order, Carter impressively made his way into the national spotlight as a solo artist. It was followed that same year with the domestic release of JC On The Set, Carter’s 1993 debut solo album that had originally been issued only in Japan. In 1996, Carter moved forward with both his Jurassic Classics album and Conversin’ with the Elders, in which the artist joined forces with such jazz pioneers as Buddy Tate, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Hamiet Bluiett, and Lester Bowie.
Also in 1996, James Carter made his first film appearance as jazz legend Ben Webster in Robert Altman’s jazz filled crime drama, Kansas City. The movie featured other jazz greats including Cyrus Chestnut, Joshua Redman and Craig Handy.
James Carter blows apart the organ-combo tradition from within on his 1998 release In Carterian Fashion. Most young players schooled in post-war jazz sound positively timid in the context of his unrestrained enthusiasm and voraciously encyclopedic romps through the canon. On In Carterian Fashion he alludes to great organ-combo saxophonists without ever imitating them, and he pushes the tradition into free jazz and beyond.
Recorded in November 1999 in New York, Layin’ In The Cut builds on the stylistic foundation set in the ‘70s with Ornette Coleman’ Prime Time ensemble, combining a free jazz style with a solid funk groove. Chasin’ the Gypsy, recorded in February 2000 in New York City with a top cast of players, pays homage to guitarist Django Reinhardt.
In October of 2002 James gave the world premiere of Concerto for Saxophones, composed for Carter by Roberto Sierra, and commissioned and premiered by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In October of 2003, Carter and the Detroit Symphony performed four more sold out performances of the Concerto. The work has since been performed by several other U.S. orchestras.
Gardenias For Lady Day, released in 2003, pays homage to the indomitable spirit of Billie Holiday and the complexity of her musical legacy with a cohesive group of soundworks evoking far more than simply the sublime sadness and turbulence of Lady Day’s life and era.
In 2004, Warner Brothers released the long-awaited Live at Bakers CD and Half Note Records released Carter’s Organ Trio’s performances – Live at the Blue Note with special guests Hamiet Bluiett and James Blood Ulmer. Brown Brothers Recordings released Gold Sounds in 2005, an opportunity to hear top-flight jazz artists smartly tackling Pavement’s offbeat rock, without a hint of condescension or contrivance.
In addition to his own work, James has performed on recent albums with Cyrus Chestnut, Herbie Hancock, Detroit comrade Rodney Whitaker, Regina Carter, Madeleine Peyroux, Karrin Allyson and Flip Phillips.
On 15 February 2004, James Carter received one of the nations’ highest cultural awards: The Dr. Alaine Locke award. Dr. Alain Locke (1886-1954) was a brilliant man of letters, who stood as a beacon of the Harlem Renaissance. He was educated at Harvard, Oxford and the University of Berlin. He was the first African American Rhodes scholar at Oxford University and his influence resulted in the artistic outpourings of the major figures of the Harlem Renaissance. The Detroit Institute of Arts and Friends of African and African American Art bestow this honor on individuals who have provided exemplary service and leadership in the promotion of African American culture.
Carter received his 5th Baritone Saxophone Player of the Year Award from DownBeat’s 52nd Annual Critic’s Poll in May of 2005. 2006 JJA Jazz Awards named James Carter Baritone Saxophonist of the Year.
In 2007, James Carter was signed to the Emercy Label at Universal Music Group. Currently, he is working with famed producer Michael Cuscuna on his next album due out in early 2008.
www.jamescarterlive.com
|
|
| |
|
|
|