December 7, 1939 – January 6, 2006
Charles Cornelius “Chuck” Carter Jr. was born in St. Louis on December 7, 1939. He departed this life on January 6, 2006. Carter was educated at Marshall Elementary School and Sumner High School. In a 2002 interview with the Philadelphia New Observer, Carter remembered his days growing up as a working musician in St. Louis.
“I was in high school with Tina Turner. We were in the same room, same class and same age. Towards the end of our senior year, Tina started working over in East St. Louis with Ike Turner. We used to have a jam session over there at The Vets every Sunday for a long time. Just before I left St. Louis I was working at the Dark Side with Quartet Tres Bien,” Carter said.
After leaving St. Louis, Carter went on to work with legendary musicians such as Cecil Bernard, Harry Franklin and Hugh Masekela for the “Whiskey A-Go-Go” experience in Los Angeles which can still be heard on the CD, “Live and Well At the Whiskey A-Go-Go”. His career as a jazz drummer spanned over four decades. His skills have been employed by Ben Webster, Bobby Hutchinson, Sonny Criss, Hank Crawford, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Harris, Errol Garner and others.
He leaves to cherish his memory a sister; Coyita (Carter) Hamilton of Atlanta, GA, brother; Stephen L. (Beverly) Carter of St. Louis and two nephews; Gerald Cornelius Hamilton of St. Louis and Mario Anthony Hamilton of Atlanta, GA.