James Carter Organ trio (JAV)

The first star of Kaunas Jazz 2025: famous American musician James Carter is coming

The international jazz festival Kaunas Jazz is already inviting you to plan a meeting in 2025. The first star of the 35th edition of the festival is announced - the famous American saxophonist James Carter is coming to Kaunas. He returns to the stage of the "Kaunas Jazz" festival after a 21-year break - in 2004, his performance became the final highlight of the season. This time, the musician's trio in 2025. April 25 will hold a concert at the National Drama Theater of Kaunas.

When James Carter first stepped onto the stage of "Kaunas Jazz" in 2004, he was talked about as a rising American jazz star. Today, he is deservedly presented as one of the best and most respected jazz musicians of his generation. "When you hear James Carter, you're blown away" - this is how the publication writes about this musician. The Washington Post. The New York Times is no less enthusiastic: "James is one of the most powerful and charismatic jazz soloists." It can be added that praises accompany him from his young days. The musician, who has entered his fifties, has been on the professional jazz scene for almost forty years.

The Detroit-born musician studied with the famous saxophonist Donald Washington, and when he was just 16, he toured Scandinavia with a big band. At the age of 19, his talent caught the attention of the famous trumpeter Lester Bowie and he received an invitation to join his group - soon the door to the colorful and action-packed New York jazz scene opened for James Carter.
At the age of 24, he released his debut album "JC On The Set ” and quickly gained wide recognition from jazz specialists and critics. James Carter has repeatedly won the election of the best saxophonist of the most important jazz magazine "Downbeat" (both in listeners' and journalists' polls). His history is marked by several dozen albums, which he recorded both as a band leader and as a companion of other prominent musicians.

Among James Carter's musical partnerships are concerts and recordings with jazz stars Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsal, Herbie Hancock , Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, avant-garde jazz group Art Ensemble of Chicago, singers Madeleine Peyroux and Karrin Allyson, legendary rock groups Cream drummer Ginger Baker and pop star Phil Collins. He has also recorded music with his cousin Regina Carter, a famous violinist who visited the "Kaunas Jazz" festival.

James Carter's trio at the Vienna club "Porgy & Bess": https://youtu.be/x2nreUdG78U?si=lpRiYoMEnK8NbHwC

An extensive list of musicians representing various genres, that we can find on James Carter's track perfectly reflects his musical philosophy. According to the saxophonist, in music, as in life, there are many very different shades, and it would be a mistake to ignore some of them. From traditional to avant-garde jazz, from funk to blues and rock, James Carter's music has it all. According to the US media, sometimes it seems that he tried to include the whole history of jazz in his repertoire.>https://youtu.be/ohECmplH_SI?si=rFSutQ2p48WnuK2A

Not much in the jazz world artists whose discography is so colorful. James Carter has recorded a concerto for saxophone and orchestra, as well as a disc inspired by rock legend Jimi Hendrix, a tribute album to jazz goddess Billie Holiday and even an album of alternative rock band Pavement. "James is like a very dynamic conversationalist. If his saxophone stories were party stories, everyone would be blown away. He knows how to express his thoughts like no one else," famous producer Don Was describes the musician's charm and love for diversity.

In Kaunas, we will hear one of James Carter's brightest projects - a trio in which the saxophone sounds together with Hammond. organ and percussion. He also held a concert in Lithuania with this composition of instruments in 2004, and this combination has been immortalized in more than one of his albums loved by music lovers. By the way, in 2012 Gregory Porter, the favorite of the Lithuanian audience, appeared on the stage of the famous Dutch festival "North Sea Jazz Festival" with this trio: https:// youtu.be/uPqEAs4JpzE?si=TbKjp81YeILOuYoI

For one there can be no doubt - at James Carter's concerts you can always expect surprises and bright colors, which he never lacked in his life. For example, a musician has a large collection of vintage saxophones. Who knows, maybe we'll hear one of them in Kaunas too? Also in his biography - an unusual role in the cinema. In 1996, he played legendary saxophonist Ben Webster in director Robert Altman's Kansas City.

Following the trajectory of James Carter's career, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see a day when a film based on his story comes. And for now, it's a great opportunity to see and hear this jazz virtuoso in Lithuania.

When buying 10 or more tickets, you can contact: vipklientai @bilietai.lt

Doors open: ~1 hour before until the start of the event
Duration of the event: ~2:00
Breaks: yes
Language of the event: Lithuanian/English
Children are admitted for free: no
Age limit: N-7
Discounts: Not applicable

On the AllEvents portal you can always Buy tickets to an event Concerts James Carter Organ trio (JAV), Kaunas, Nacionalinis Kauno dramos teatras April 25

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