James Carter

James Carter is a jazz saxophonist, flautist and bass clarinettist from Detroit, United States, born in 1969. He starts playing saxophone at the age of 11 and, after arriving in New York City in 1988, performs under the guidance of Lester Bowie. He is associated with a wide range of reed instruments, from sopranino saxophone to contrabass saxophone, as well as contrabass and bass clarinets.

Early career and recordings

Carter first records with a Detroit student ensemble in 1986. By 1991 he records with Lester Bowie on The Organizer and also contributes to The Tough Young Tenors. His debut recording, JC On The Set, appears in Japan and establishes him as an important new voice in jazz. His next release, Jurassic Classics (1994), reaches the Top Jazz Albums chart for the first time.

Albums and chart success

He later reaches the Top Jazz Albums chart again with The Real Quiet Storm (1995), Conversin' With The Elders (1996), In Carterian Fashion (1998) and Chasin' The Gypsy (2000). In 2000 he also releases Layin' In The Cut, an electric jazz and funk collective session, alongside Chasin' The Gypsy, which is an homage to Django Reinhardt. Gardenias For Lady Day follows these releases.

Collaborations and performances

Carter performs and records with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Julius Hemphill, Ronald Shannon Jackson, the Charles Mingus Big Band, Kathleen Battle, Aretha Franklin, David Murray, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Ginger Baker and Sonny Rollins, among others. He appears in the 1994 PBS telecast Live at Lincoln Center and plays saxophonist Ben Webster in Robert Altman’s film Kansas City (1996). He also appears in ensembles including Bluiett Baritone Saxophone Group, The Julius Hemphill Sextet, The James Carter Organ Trio, Vincent Herring's The Story of Jazz Orchestra, James Carter Quartet, Bluiett Baritone Nation, Lester Bowie’s New York Organ Ensemble, The Phillip Wilson Project, Frank Lowe & The Saxemple and (D)ivo Saxophone Quartet.

Recognition

Carter tops DownBeat’s annual critics poll in the baritone saxophone category for three years in a row.