“Regina Carter creates music that is wonderfully listenable, probingly intelligent, and, at times, breathtakingly daring…taking the listener into the future of jazz. “ –Time Magazine

Regina Carter © Howard A. Gitelson

Detroit has long been a fertile breeding ground for jazz giants, from Kenny Burrell and Tommy Flanagan to Regina’s cousin James Carter. "There's just so much music that came out of Detroit," Carter has acknowledged, "and it all inspired me." Initially she studied piano (from age 4), tap, ballet, and Suzuki violin. But classical music already seemed limiting to 14-year-old Regina when she saw Stephane Grapelli play at Detroit’s Renaissance Center, and for the first time she was inspired by “that feeling” of jazz and particularly the freedom of improvisation.

Ultimately Regina studied both classical and African American Music (at the New England Conservatory and Oakland University), and absorbed a wide range of influences from R & B to East Indian to Latin. "I followed a more non-traditional route. I initially learned by ear, then later learned to read, then learned theory. I think that kind of experience has freed my playing up a lot more, so I'm not stuck on the page,” she said. Performing with an equally diverse range of musicians from Aretha Franklin to Danilo Perez to the Minnesota Orchestra, she gained national attention for her solos on Wynton Marsalis's Blood on the Fields tour in 1997 and Cassandra Wilson's Travelin' Miles concert at New York's Lincoln Center in 1998. In 2001 she collaborated with pianist Kenny Barron on the acclaimed duet, Free Fall (Verve). But the most challenging and perhaps satisfying project has been the music which has grown from that initial experience in Genoa.

After the stunning success of Paganini, Regina came back with I’ll be Seeing You, a tribute to her late mother, the music of the 20s, 30s and 40s. Named to a MacArthur Fellowship (“Genius Award”) in September 2006, she received the International Society for the Performing Arts Distinguished Artist Award for 2007.

The Regina Carter Quintet debuted at Birdland in 2003. Joining her for a welcome return visit will be her current quintet, including pianist David Budway, bassist Chris Lightcap, drummer Alvester Garnett, and percussionist Mayra Casales.

The Regina Carter Quintet performs at Birdland (315 W. 44^th Stree)t in Manhattan on May 30-June-2, two sets each evening at 9 and 11 pm ; www.birdlandjazz.com