Advertisement

With Violin In Tow, Regina Carter Finds Her Voice

10:30
Download Audio
Resume
Transitioning from classical violin to jazz has not been easy, but "I feel like I've kind of found my own voice now," says Regina Carter. (Photo courtesy: StimpsonJCat/Flickr)
Transitioning from classical violin to jazz has not been easy, but "I feel like I've kind of found my own voice now," says Regina Carter. (Photo courtesy: StimpsonJCat/Flickr)

Born in Detroit and classically trained at Boston's New England Conservatory, Regina Carter is a master of jazz violin. Since coming to prominence in the late 80s she's played with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton.

When Carter first came to the New England Conservatory, she was a classically-trained violinist enthralled by the jazz scene. She quickly took to transitioning from classical to jazz, but Carter said, it wasn't easy:

"I feel like I had to work hard, and I still have to work hard, but leaving some of the European classical flavorings, if you will, behind. The bravado I think is the hardest thing for a lot of violinists to leave behind because we spend our whole life learning how to do that, and wanting to do it, and then you go to play jazz and it just doesn't fit. But I feel like I've kind of found my own voice now."

Carter is now out with a new album, "Reverse Thread." This weekend, she will be back in Boston playing at Regattabar in Cambridge. Ahead of that performance, Carter spoke to Radio Boston from New York.

Guest:

  • Regina Carter, jazz violinist

More:

  • Regina Carter at Regattabar, Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th

This program aired on November 23, 2011.

Advertisement

More from Radio Boston

Listen Live
Close