Musician Ron Carter Celebrates 88th Birthday with Twelve Consecutive Concerts

Ron Carter, a living legend of music who remains active, was part of some of the most important jazz line-ups, including those of Chico Hamilton, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. With the trumpeter, he recorded albums such as 'Miles in the Sky' and 'Bitches Brew', amidst a shift in public taste. During this transition, he coincided with the new generation of 'cool jazz', like Herbie Hancock—still alive and touring—or Wayne Shorter, and with them, he remained faithful, years later, to the more contemporary style he would solidify in every note.

With a long list of records, including around twenty solo albums; others as duos like those with his friend Jim Hall; many with a jam flavour; and countless as a collaborator, his face is known beyond specialists, with cameos in series like 'Treme' (HBO). In total, he is one of the greats of the genre and remains in top form.

Always elegant, on May 4th he turns 88 and wants to reach that night as he does every day of his life, playing. "My birthday is just around the corner, ladies and gentlemen," Carter wrote a few days ago. With the unusual honour of being a "birthday resident musician" for a week at the jazz temple Blue Note in New York, his particular celebration lasts six days, ending on Sunday, May 4th.

Most nights, he alternates with his usual touring musicians, who have been seen with him in Spain at his recent concerts, the Foursight Quartet—with Renee Rosnes on piano and the rhythm section of Jimmy Greene and Payton Crossley—and on two dates, he opts for a trio format, with pianist Donald Vega and saxophonist Donald Harrison. Tickets are around 50 euros per person.

As if playing six consecutive nights wasn't enough, and especially at the age of 88, the tireless Carter doubles the stakes. There are two concerts each night, with their starts separated by two and a half hours, giving an idea of the extensive repertoire he holds and wishes to share, without announcing a 'setlist'. "To know it, you'll just have to come and see for yourself," the 'master' quipped, considered the jazz bassist with the most recorded sessions in history, over 2,200.

Born in 1937 in Michigan, USA, he began in music at the age of ten, and by the late fifties, jazz had definitively captured him, although he also flirted with stars like Roberta Flack and Billy Joel. With Ron Carter, there is much to remember, and perhaps at midnight on his birthday, 'Round Midnight' will play.