Jazz lovers can start the new year right on Friday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m., when the Regina Carter Quintet performs at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

Regina Carter is one of the most significant, versatile and innovative violinists to emerge on the jazz scene in decades. She has put her indelible stamp on collaborations with artists as diverse as Wynton Marsalis, Lauryn Hill, Cassandra Wilson, Aretha Franklin and more. Her sound has echoes of the jazz violin greats of the past - the melodic Stephane Grappelli and the sweet swing of Stuff Smith.

Regina Carter's early diverse musical experiences in her hometown of Detroit - including her association with the Detroit Civic Symphony and the pop funk group Brainstorm - have made her comfortable in a broad range of musical environments. She has accompanied country music stars Dolly Parton and Tanya Tucker for their appearances on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show," and was also called in to join Billy Joel's band earlier this year where Joel spotlighted her solo.

Along with her touring band: pianist Werner "Vana" Gierig, bassist Daryl Hall, drummer Alvester Garnett and percussionist Mayra Casales, she will bring you sounds that are wonderfully listenable, probingly intelligent and, at times, breathtakingly daring.

When Carter and her band opened for Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter last summer in the nation's capital, the Washington Times described the performance as "electric" and, the reporter added, "the violinist had her instrument laughing, crying and screaming to her furious fingers."

Just as prolific as her accomplishments on stage are Ms. Carter's recordings. "Rhythms of the Heart," her Verve debut CD, was praised by "Time" magazine and chosen as one of its top ten recordings of 1999. Her follow-up CD, "Motor City Moments," is a celebration of the music of her hometown of Detroit.

Tickets to the Regina Carter concert are $25 with discounts available for students, seniors and groups. To reserve tickets, call the box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.

Posted On: 12-13-2000 09:12 AM

Volume: 33 Number: 105