Jazz Articles about Ron Carter

Freddie Hubbard: Red Clay

by David Rickert
July 11, 2002

Like Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard's best work was always in the service of others until he signed with Creed Taylor's CTI label. He then released a trio of albums that represents his crowning achievement as a leader. Red Clay finds him in the company of Herbie Hancock, who played a large part in defining jazz fusion, as well as heavyweights like Ron Carter, Joe Henderson, and Lenny White. The title track kicks off the record with a funky ...

Ron Carter: Stardust

by Jim Santella
July 1, 2002

Ron Carter’s tribute to Oscar Pettiford features three of the late, great bassist’s compositions and an all-star lineup. As Pettiford loved to swing a beautiful melody, so do Carter and his teammates in this fluid affair. The leader’s deep respect for essential elements, such as intonation, tone quality and balance, remains focused at the heart of the matter. Elegance and genuine passion imbue the session with soul. Carter, Benny Golson, Joe Locke and Roland Hanna flirt with melody the way ...

Antonio Carlos Jobim: Stone Flower

by David Rickert
May 6, 2002

Jobim has been described as the Gershwin of Brazilian music, which is an apt title for a man who contributed so many original songs to the jazz repertoire, adding a few standards along the way. Those who were inspired to follow his work after “The Girl From Ipanema” may have picked up Wave, his most well-known solo record, but may have overlooked Stone Flower, a markedly better effort. The drippy strings on the former record brought out the quiet romanticism ...

The Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Thought Trains

by Jack Bowers
May 1, 2002

One assumes instinctively that a big–band album named Thought Trains isn’t likely to include such time–worn staples as “Moten Swing” or “One O’Clock Jump.” That’s definitely true of this one, even though it does receive a “jump start” from Mike Holober’s rhythmically vibrant composition, “Jump Down, Spin Around.” All of the compositions / arrangements are Holober’s, and while they may not awaken memories of the Swing Era they surely do swing, which is among the most meaningful components in any ...

Don Sleet: All Members

by Derek Taylor
March 1, 2002

Jazz, like any commercial art form, is a proving ground populated by far more practitioners than actually make the cut. The analogy of an iceberg is apropos. For every musician whose talent rises above the sea of public opinion’s surface there are literally thousands of others that toil away in obscurity beneath the waves. In the spring of 61’ Don Sleet seemed set to become one of the chosen few situated for stardom. Formidable brass chops sharpened in gigs as ...

Ron Carter and Jim Hall: Telepathy

by C. Michael Bailey
August 1, 2001

Duo music as important as that of Haydn and Mozart.

Telepathy is the union on compact disc of two Ron Carter/Jim Hall live collaborations. Live at the Village Gate (Concord 4245, 1984) comprises the first disc of this two-disc set, while Telephone (Concord 4270, 1985) comprises the second. Collectively, Telepathy offers a seamless look a to of the most urbane and intelligent jazz musicians performing. Ron Carter brings to this duo his abstract yet grounded view of double-bass playing while ...

Ron Carter: Pick 'Em/Super Strings

by Derek Taylor
August 1, 2001

Ron Carter’s place in the preeminent line of master jazz bassists is unassailable. Possessing a gargantuan technique he’s been a prominent bandleader and session man since his start in the late 1950s. Where he’s come under justifiable critical fire over the years is in his at times lamentable choice of projects. The two Milestone dates gathered on this recent two-fer unfortunately add ammunition to the claims.

Pick ‘Em matches Carter’s piccolo bass, a custom upright tuned to just below cello ...