Jazz drummer Bryan Carter, 20, was on his way to sound check for his CD-release show of “Enchantment” in New York City when he answered a call from The St. Louis American.
Sirens and street sounds filled the background as the student at Juilliard School in New York and leader of the Bryan Carter Trio and Quintets spoke about his jazz roots in St. Louis.
His father and local jazz legend, Ronald Carter, was the former director of East St. Louis’ world-renowned Lincoln Senior High School Jazz Ensemble.
“My father put the sticks in my hand figuratively and literally,” Bryan said. “The [Lincoln High] jazz band became a pillar of the community and helped to produce major artists in the jazz community – people like Russell Gunn, Terreon Gully, and Montez Coleman.”
At age four, Bryan watched the Lincoln High band traveled the world and open up for people such as Miles Davis. By age 11, Bryan himself had studied with jazz masters Louie Bellson, Harold Jones, and Ed Thigpen. During high school, Carter traveled the country – taking weeks of school off at a time – to perform with the prestigious Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony, the Vail Jazz Workshop, and the Grammy Jazz Ensemble.
On June 2, Bryan will bring his Enchantment concert tour to St. Louis, the place where he first developed a love for music.
“I could read music before I could actually read,” he said. “Going to my father’s high school, it was always cool to hang out with the big kids. That’s where it all started. It felt natural that music would be the path I followed.”
Bryan and his group, which formed at Juilliard, will perform pieces from his new CD at Robbie’s House of Jazz in Webster Groves on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s a concept album, and it deals with the idea of being enchanted by something – not enchanted like Harry Potter, here’s a spell I’m going to get you,” he said. “More dealing with the idea of surprise or awe.”
The music aims to capture the feeling of the first time you experience something you really love or the first time you see a girl or guy you really like, he said.
“I’ve always been enchanted by New York City and my dream has been to go to Julliard,” he said. “So being able to come here and play with amazing players and at anytime being able to leave the school and be whisked away into this magical wonderland, it’s an amazing feeling. I’d love to share that feeling with you.”
Tickets are available at Robbie’s House of Jazz or by calling Victor at (630) 712-2659. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.
The newly released recording will be available at the concert or go to www.bryancartermusic.com.
