Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CARTER, James

(b c'69, Detroit) Saxophonist playing all the saxes and bass clarinet with all the technical ability he needs, a young gun ready to take on all comers: British critics found him arrogant when he played in London early '96, but he seems to be able to back it up with the goods. He has played in the Lincoln Center Big Band, the Mingus Dynasty, the Julius Hemphill Sextet and the Detroit band Griot Galaxy (led by bassist Jaribu Shahid and drummer Tani Tabbal), wide experience resulting in 'a brash carefree energy of discovery' (Cadence). Quartet CDs (with Craig Taborn on piano, Shahid and Tabbal) J.C. On The Set on Columbia and Jurassic Classics on DIW '94 followed by The Real Quietstorm '95 on Atlantic, on which he settled down into a classic mainstream style. But on Conversin' With The Elders '96 on the label, the elders ranging from Buddy Tate to Lester Bowie and Hamiet Bluiett, he played in a different style on each track; Martin Gayford (in the Daily Telegraph) thought that Carter was 'played off his own album' by the octogenarian Harry Edison; he may be still searching for himself, but his homage is sincere and generous, and his promise is immense.