Ron Carter is one of the most recorded bass players ever, playing on over 1,000 records during his career, which include not only his own as leader, but also with Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Johnny Hodges, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Benny Goodman, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, George Benson, B.B. King, Lena Horne, and James Brown. He has even recorded Bach Cello Suites that was certified gold in 1988.
Carter was born in Michigan in 1937. After receiving a music degree, he started working with Chico Hamilton, Eric Dolphy, and Cannonball Adderly. His is best known for re-inventing the rhythm section into a freer, though still swinging unit, along with Tony Williams and Herbie Hancock as part of Miles Davis' legendary quintet from the 1960s. When many bassists took up the electric bass, Carter continued to use the acoustic, feeling that he had a responsibility to provide a viable alternate, according to him.
Carter won a Grammy award in 1988 for his work in the movie Round Midnight. In addition to this, he has written and arranged music for other movies as well. He also has authored books on playing the bass. He is very active in education through lecturing, conducting clinics, teaching at the Manhattan School of Music, instructing jazz ensembles.
Among the awards he has received include Jazz Bassist of the year from Down Beat Magazine, Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, and the Most Valuable Acoustic Bass player from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and also at the City College of New York, where he is currently Professor of Music.
