John Carter

John Carter

John Carter is a jazz clarinettist and saxophonist from Fort Worth, United States, associated with free jazz and jazz. He is active from the 1960s through the 1980s and is known for work on clarinet, saxophone and flute.

Early life and playing in Fort Worth

Carter is born in Fort Worth in 1929 and begins playing there in the 1940s, performing with Ornette Coleman and Charles Moffett. From 1961 he is based on the West Coast.

Collaborations and ensembles

In 1965 he meets Bobby Bradford, and the two later work together on a number of projects, including the Bobby Bradford-John Carter Quintet. He also plays with Hampton Hawes and Harold Land. Other groups associated with him include the John Carter Quintet and The Clarinet Summit.

Solo work and later recognition

During the 1970s Carter becomes known for solo concerts. At New Jazz Festival Moers in 1977, he performs over three days with German clarinettist Theo Jörgensmann, and the performances draw wide recognition. He and Jörgensmann meet again in 1984, and at Berlin Jazzfest a programme built around the clarinet includes Carter's solo performance followed by a performance with Jörgensmann.

Roots and Folklore: Episodes in the Development of American Folk Music

Between 1982 and 1990 Carter composes and records Roots and Folklore: Episodes in the Development of American Folk Music across five albums. The work focuses on African-Americans and their history, and jazz critics acclaim the complete set as among the best releases of the 1980s.

Death and legacy

Carter dies in 1991. A planned clarinet quartet for 1991, featuring Perry Robinson, Theo Jörgensmann and Eckard Koltermann, does not take place because he does not recover from a nonmalignant tumour.

Label

He is associated with Ibedon Publishers.