Bass Legend Ron Carter Debuts Original Compositions
with Extended Orchestra, The WDR Big Band,
on My Personal Songbook
Available September 4 on IN+OUT Records
Ron Carter's elegant, sophisticated and delicate
tone, as well as his extraordinary sense of timing, have informed
generations of bassists and have had a tremendous impact on the musical
genre as a whole.
My Personal Songbook is the first
recording of the grand master's original compositions performed by an
extended orchestra to be released. This exceptional recording took place
in January 2013, when Carter appeared with The WDR Big Band
in Cologne. Three acclaimed concerts with The WDR Big Band in Geneva,
Zürich, and Essen followed and strengthened the master bassist's wish to
extend the collaboration.
Naturally, The WDR Big Band
acceded to his wish, because apart from the fact that Carter is one of
the leading bassists in the history of jazz, the musical vibes between
the WDR Big Band and the famed guest soloist were highly compatible from
the start. One may wonder why such a diligent musician as Carter did
not work with the large format before; it was only in 2011 that he
formed a big band of his own. With the WDR Big Band and the album My Personal Songbook, he goes further in presenting himself as a brilliant double bass player and innovative soloist.
Being
cast with truly exquisite soloists, the WDR Big Band is a perfect match
for Carter, who is full of praises: "It honors a radio station to
insist on this music and to make such a large band format happen. Being
professional, flexible and having the brilliant musicality of these
musicians also add to this project." Carter chose ten pieces for the
project, which were, and still are, of tremendous influence in his life.
Richard DeRosa, principal conductor of The WDR Big Band,
contributed the arrangements for his orchestra. The result is a sound
which pays attention to the lush big band tone as well as to the
sophisticated solo parts and allows both to fully bloom. An extra
highlight is the additional DVD with tracks as well as film footage.
About Ron Carter
Carter
was born on May 4th, 1937, and at the age of ten, very shortly after he
started to play the cello, he switched to the double bass. After his
collaboration on the Gil Evans's masterpiece, "Out Of The Cool," he
became recognized by wider audiences in 1960. In '63, he achieved
international recognition, playing with jazz legend Miles Davis' second
quintet, of which he was a member until 1968.
Carter can
be heard on more than 2,500 recordings. He not only contributed to the
jazz genre, but to the history of the music of the 20th and 21st
centuries in general. Musicians such as Cannonball Adderley, Freddie
Hubbard, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner have appreciated
his exquisite tone and professional craftsmanship during his illustrious
career. His extraordinary bass lines have also contributed to hip hop
music, in particular A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory, ushering
Carter in as a front line supporter/recognizer of the jazz/hip-hop
convergence.
Milestones of his truly exceptional, vital
and multifaceted career are on the set list. It is Carter's virtuosic
technique, his sensitivity for sounds and his brilliantly performed
timing that make his bass voice so outstanding and classic. Carter
guarantees consistency and premium quality. Since the early 1960s, when
he was part of the Miles Davis Quintet, he tirelessly goes for the
utmost perfect double bass sound. That is why colleagues, experts and
audiences alike have appreciated Carter for decades.
Ron Carter and The WDR Big Band · My Personal Songbook
IN+OUT Records · Release Date: September 4, 2015
For more information on RON CARTER, please visit: RonCarter.net
For media information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Matthew Jurasek · matthew@
Don Lucoff · don@dlmediamusic.com
Serving the Finest in Jazz Since 1988
Information and press materials (including album covers, promotional photos
and bios) on all DL Media artists can be found at our website: dlmediamusic.com