For folks who love her cross-current violin virtuosity, Regina Carter’s return to Jazz at the Bistro on Wednesday, March 2 is a homecoming. The Detroit native, who has received global renown through her brilliant and increasingly adventurous endeavors n daringly encompassing jazz, pop, funk, world and classical music n will be here for another thrilling four-night engagement.
Carter began playing violin at age four, due to her mother’s prodding. As she recalls, “She handed me a violin and told me, ‘You’re playing this.’ Being the obedient daughter of a black woman, I did as I was told.” She learned using the Suzuki method n by ear, rather than sight reading n which would help her later improvisational work in jazz.
Regina’s initial thrust was classical (clearly her mother’s preference), but while in high school, her friend (and current MAXJAZZ vocalist) Carla Cook took her to a Stephane Grapelli concert. After hearing the late European jazz violinist, she was smitten n her choice was jazz. Later, she expanded to the diverse and exciting explorations for which she has become endeared to fans around the world.
The petite charmer has performed with everyone from soul/pop stars Mary J. Blige and Aretha Franklin, trumpeters Wynton Marsalis and Marcus Belgrave, pianists Barry Harris and Kenny Barron to jazz vocalists Carla Cook and Cassandra Wilson.
In 1999, Crusaders for Jazz president Richard Henderson had an inspiration: Why not hook up two of his favorite fiddlers for the group’s annual scholarship concert? He contacted Regina and the late Kansas City phenom, Claude “Fiddler” Williams (Count Basie’s first guitarist). Although they had never met, they were equally enthused about the project, and the results, staged at The Sheldon Concert Hall, were fantastic.
She has since played at the Bistro leading her own ensemble, in a duo with Kenny Barron and as a featured guest of vocalist Carmen Lundy. She also appeared in the initial Firstar Jazz Festival in Clayton’s Shaw Park in 2001.
Carter owes her firm classical foundation to two years at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her incredible harmonic runs, hip percussive anecdotes and enchanting inventions flow easily from her wide-ranging musical experiences and natural spontaneity.
As for spontaneity, she impetuously ventured to Munich, Germany in the mid-‘80s, she said, “to find myself, though it seemed like the person I was looking for was always a town ahead of me.” After this interlude, she returned to Detroit, where she recorded two Atlantic albums with the all-female group, Straight Ahead.
Perhaps this humble genius’ most triumphant effort to date is her historic performance on the instrument made famous by Italian baroque violinst Nicolo Paganini. The keepers of the treasured violin, built in 1743 and called “The Cannon” because of its enormous, dark sound, decreed that it was not to be “violated” by playing jazz n especially by a black woman! (It has an insurance policy of untold millions and had only been played by a select few classical violinists.)
After many months of gruelling negotiations to overcome the resistance of various Italian government and private powers, her contingent (including Italian composer Andrea Liberovici and her pianist Werner “Vana” Gierig) prevailed, and Regina was allowed n after rehearsing under armed guard n to play the storied instrument in its home town of Genoa, Italy.
After many more months of deliberation, in November 2002, she was back in Genoa recording Paganini: After A Dream. This marvelous nine-track vehicle showcases Carter’s nearly indescribable sensitivity, flawless articulation and poignant melodic insertions. She blends symphonic serenity with splashes of jazz and even reveals her vocal skills on “Pavane” and excerpt from “Alexandra.”
In the summer of 2004, Regina married longtime drummer and friend, Alvester Garnett. That carefully nurtured relationship is sure to enrich her musical vision and execution. From her shimmering cadenzas to her surprise salsa finales (she has actually danced with her pianist to end sets), fans and thrill seekers should be sure to visit the Bistro for a glimpse of where Regina’s exciting sonic future is headed.
Regina Carter plays at Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington, March 2n5. Call 534-1111 or 531-1012.
