ROCHESTER, NY — Ron Carter, widely recognized as one of the most original and influential bassists in jazz, returns to his alma mater, the Eastman School of Music, this fall for a special day that culminates in a concert with his legendary quartet at 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, in Kilbourn Hall (26 Gibbs St.). Carter’s quartet — which features Kenny Barron (piano), Steve Kroon (percussion), and Payton Crossley (drums) — will perform an engaging program of standards and classics announced from the stage.
During his day-long visit to Eastman, Carter also will hold a master class for students and present a lecture sponsored by the School’s Arts Leadership Program titled “Where Is the Music Played?” The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is at 11:30 a.m. in Room 120 of the School.
Described as “the epitome of jazz elegance and rectitude” by Down Beat magazine and considered a master of improvisation, Carter earned his bachelor’s degree at Eastman in 1959. As a student, he played in the Eastman Philharmonia and in his own jazz groups around Rochester. After earning his master of music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 1961, he moved without a pause into a dynamic, high-profile career.
Many of Carter’s more than 3,000 jazz recordings are now classics. He was a member of Miles Davis’ legendary 1960s quintet, along with Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter. He also has performed with Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk, Hubert Laws, Lionel Hampton, and Joe Henderson. A superb accompanist for singers, he recorded with Aretha Franklin and Little Jimmy Scott, and played for Lena Horne’s New York City appearances in the 1970s. Alongside Dexter Gordon, he appeared in the 1986 film, Round Midnight.
As a classical performer, Carter has played with orchestras around the world. He has made four classical recordings, including one that features his own transcriptions and arrangements of Bach chorales and cantatas. In the mid-1970s, he started playing the piccolo bass, rather than the larger jazz bass, in order to “reinvestigate acoustic sounds and to give the public a viable listening option.” He has won two Grammy Awards — one in jazz composition and one in jazz performance — and is the producer of 75 recordings. His books include Building a Jazz Bass Line and Music of Ron Carter, which contains 140 of his published and recorded compositions. He has lectured, conducted, and taught the business of music at numerous universities. For nearly 20 years, he has been distinguished professor of music at the City College of New York.
“Ron Carter’s multi-faceted engagement with music exemplifies one of the primary goals of an Eastman education,” said Eastman School Director and Dean James Undercofler. “We are delighted to welcome ‘home’ and showcase one of our most distinguished alumni.”
General admission tickets to the concert are $15 (free to UR faculty, students, and staff) and are available at Ticket Express, 100 Gibbs St., or by calling 222-5000. Any unsold tickets will be available at the hall box office one hour before the performance.
###
Note to editors: A photo of Ron Carter is available electronically.