Ian Carey was born in Binghamton, New York, where, at the age of six, he was introduced to jazz music by a performance by the legendary Slam Stewart at his elementary school. Twenty-some years later, he’s still knee-deep in it.
After attending high school in California and studying classical trumpet at the University of Nevada (where he performed with the Reno Philharmonic), Ian headed to New York City, where he studied with jazz luminaries including Cecil Bridgewater, Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman, and Billy Harper. He also performed with the likes of Eddie Bert, Rory Stuart, and Ravi Coltrane, and at venues such as the Blue Note and Smalls. He led his own Brooklyn-based quartet for several years before his move to San Francisco in 2001. He has since been active in the Bay Area jazz scene, appearing with the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, The Realistic Orchestra, and 8 Legged Monster, among others.
In 2003, Ian began gigging with the talented musicians who were to become the Ian Carey Quintet, and the group has solidified its improvisational chemistry in the years since. The Quintet’s first recording, SINK/SWIM, was released on Kabocha Records in January 2006, and is available for purchase online at CDBaby (click on the album cover to the right). The album features five original compositions, plus arrangements of music by Wayne Shorter, Joe Gilman, and Herbie Nichols.
”Ian Carey is a gifted young trumpeter and composer who asks deep musical questions and comes up with compelling answers.”
- Bill Kirchner, composer/educator, and editor of The Oxford Companion to Jazz and The Miles Davis Reader.
“An exciting set of music with a heavy-hitting lineup of musicians... Ian Carey['s] expressive musicianship is complimented by his tasteful compositions.”
- Greg Bridges, KCSM Jazz 91, KPFA FM, Reflections in Rhythm
“Carey's themes are catchy and original, and all the improvisations are fresh and inventive, highlighted by Francis's sparkling saxophone and Carey's own warm, flowing trumpet work.”
- Lewis Porter, Jazz scholar/educator (Rutgers University), author of Jazz: From Its Origins to the Present, Jazz Perspectives: Lester Young, and John Coltrane: His Life and Music.
“[Sink/Swim] has a rich, introspective 1970s feel... Carey, who knows his jazz history, plays a warm horn with a Freddie Hubbard feel... Many of the compositions and arrangements are by Carey, and the CD includes tight interpretations of Wayne Shorter's 'ESP' and Herbie Nichols' 'The Spinning Song.'”
- Marc Myers, JazzWax.com
“Interesting and original tunes from this inventive and sensitive jazz artist. Carey weaves his way through the changes with a velvety sound while his arrangements hold your attention. Carey's writing can be fugue-like, straightahead or chamber-like. It's always nice to hear from the younger generation and this CD won't disappoint you.”
- Trumpetmusic.com
“The album has the feel of the late 1950s recordings of Miles Davis and Art Farmer, blending elements of hard bop and cool jazz while leaning toward gentler, more lyrical tones.”
- Justin Freitas, Berkeley Daily Planet
SINK/SWIM was named an All About Jazz Monthly Pick for May 2006, by David Adler (JazzTimes, Slate, New York Times).
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