Regina Carter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Regina Carter
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Carter in 2006
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 6, 1966 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Violin |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, Verve |
Regina Carter (born August 6, 1966) is a famous American jazz violinist. She is known for her amazing talent and unique style. Regina is also the cousin of jazz saxophonist James Carter.
Early Life and Musical Start
Discovering the Violin
Regina Carter was born in Detroit, Michigan. She was one of three children in her family. Her musical journey began very early. At just two years old, she started piano lessons. She could play melodies by ear, which means she could play them just by listening.
However, her piano teacher suggested she try the violin. This was because Regina liked to be creative with her music. She started studying the violin at age four. She used the Suzuki Method, which helps young musicians learn by listening and playing. Even with the violin, she still learned piano, tap dancing, and ballet.
Growing Up with Music
As a teenager, Regina played in the youth division of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This was a big achievement for a young musician. She even got to take special classes from famous violinists like Itzhak Perlman and Yehudi Menuhin.
While in high school, Regina attended Cass Technical High School. There, her friend, jazz singer Carla Cook, introduced her to the music of Ella Fitzgerald. Regina also played with the Detroit Civic Orchestra. She was even in a pop-funk band called Brainstorm. Besides violin, she also learned viola, oboe, and sang in a choir.
Switching to Jazz
Regina first studied classical violin at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. But she soon decided to switch to jazz music. She moved to Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. There, she studied jazz and learned from trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Through him, she met many jazz musicians in Detroit. She graduated in 1985.
After college, Regina taught string instruments in Detroit schools. Then, she moved to Europe and lived in Germany for two years. While there, she worked as a nanny and taught violin at a U.S. military base.
Regina Carter's Career
Starting with Straight Ahead
Regina Carter returned to the U.S. and became well-known in 1987. She was the violinist for an all-female jazz group called Straight Ahead. The group released several albums with Atlantic Records. Famous musician Branford Marsalis even said they "truly swing." Regina left the band in 1991 and moved to New York City.
Solo Work and Collaborations
In New York, Regina worked with many famous artists. She played with singers like Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Billy Joel, and Dolly Parton. She also performed with jazz legends Max Roach and Oliver Lake. She was also part of the String Trio of New York.
Regina released her first solo album, Regina Carter, in 1995. Her album Something for Grace came out in 1997. She then joined Wynton Marsalis for his 1997 show Blood on the Fields. Later, she moved to Verve Records, which gave her more artistic freedom. She released Rhythms of the Heart in 1999. In 2000, she released Motor City Moments, which honored her hometown of Detroit.
Playing a Historic Violin
In December 2001, Regina played a special concert in Genoa, Italy. She used a very old and famous violin called Il Cannone Guarnerius. This violin was made in 1743 and was once owned by the legendary violinist Niccolò Paganini. It's called "Il Cannone" because it can make a very powerful sound.
Regina was invited to play this violin after the events of September 11, 2001. It was a way to show unity. She was the first jazz musician and the first African American to play this historic instrument. She later recorded an album called Paganini: After a Dream. This album featured classical music by composers like Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.
Honoring Her Mother
Regina's sixth album, I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey, was a tribute to her late mother. It included some of her mother's favorite songs. These were classic American songs from the 1920s to the 1940s. Some songs included "Blue Rose" by Duke Ellington and "Sentimental Journey" by Les Brown.
Teaching and Mentoring
Regina Carter is also a dedicated educator. She loves to teach and inspire young musicians. She has given many workshops and master classes at different schools. From 2007 to 2018, she was an Artist in Residence at her old university, Oakland University. She has also taught at the jazz summer camp at Stanford Jazz Workshop. In 2018, she became the Artistic Director of the New Jersey Performing Arts All-Female Jazz Camp.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, Regina played on Eddie Palmieri's album Listen Here!. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album. In September 2006, Regina received a MacArthur Fellows Program grant. This award is also known as a "genius grant." It gives talented people money to continue their important work.
The committee that gave her the award said that Regina Carter is a master of jazz violin. They noted that she uses many different musical styles, like Motown, Afro-Cuban, Swing, Bebop, Folk, and World music. They praised her unique voice and style. They also said her performances show how amazing the jazz violin can be. In 2018, Regina also received the Doris Duke Award.
Personal Life
Regina Carter married Alvester Garnett on September 5, 2004, in Detroit. Alvester is the drummer in her band. She has lived in Maywood, New Jersey.
Discography
Albums as a Leader
- 1995 Regina Carter
- 1997 Something for Grace
- 1999 Rhythms of the Heart
- 2000 Motor City Moments
- 2001 Freefall (with Kenny Barron)
- 2003 Paganini: After a Dream
- 2006 I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey
- 2010 Reverse Thread
- 2014 Southern Comfort
- 2017 Ella: Accentuate the Positive
Collaborations and Other Albums
Regina Carter has also played on many albums with other talented musicians. Some of these include:
- With the String Trio of New York: Intermobility (1992), Octagon (1992), Blues...? (1993)
- With Kenny Barron: Spirit Song (1999)
- With James Carter: Chasin' the Gypsy (2000), Caribbean Rhapsody (2011)
- With Joe Jackson: The Duke (2012), Fast Forward (2015)
- With Eddie Palmieri: Listen Here! (2005)
- With Wynton Marsalis: Blood on the Fields (1997)
See also
In Spanish: Regina Carter para niños
