Northrop Music Presents REVERSE THREAD, 3/15

Northrop Music at the University of Minnesota presents the tenacious force of Regina Carter, her generation's greatest jazz violinist. Carter is crossing borders with her upcoming album called Reverse Thread. Reverse Thread is a collection of infectious African folk melodies in a beautiful, contemporary interpretation as only Carter can provide. It's a celebration of the old and new - and that of a musician internationally acclaimed as among the most transcendent voices of contemporary violin. Consisting of music from the African Diaspora, Reverse Thread offers a new interpretation of music from Mali, Senegal, and other areas. The work includes some traditional pieces from the Jews living in Uganda, a piece by Ayub Ogada (from the movie The Constant Gardener) as well as some original material and earlier repertoire.

Carter and her quartet fuse world music and classical violin, interweaving instruments from Mali (the kora) and Senegal (powerful drum rhythms). Carter's quartet brings together Will Holshouser (accordion), Chris Lightcap (bass), Alvester Garnett (drummer), and special guest Yocouba Sissoko (kora) from Mali.

Regina Carter | Violin
Carter's diverse jazz career started in high school with her discovery of French jazz violinist, Stèphane Grapelli, although she had previously been educated as a classical violinist. Carter double-majored in classical music and African American music at the New England Conservatory and later at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where she received her B.A. in performance. She received the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant," in 2006 for her work.

The Detroit native has worked with jazz names such as Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Barron, whose collaboration was nominated for a Grammy. She was the first jazz musician and African American to be invited to play the two-and-a-half century-old violin of classical genius Niccolò Paganini in Genoa, Italy in 2001. Carter later recorded with the violin in her album Paganini: After a Dream.

The violinist's work has spanned other outlets and genres, including music for Ken Burns' title, working with Billy Joel and Dolly Parton, and even collaborated with hip-hop's Mary J. Blige. She joined jazz singer Cassandra Wilson's tribute to Miles Davis. After her mother's death in 2005, Carter dedicated an album to songs from her mother's youth in the 1920s through the 1940s, including pieces by Duke Ellington and Rodgers and Hart. She expanded her musical versatility further when she worked with Latin Jazz pianists Danilo Pèrez and Eddie Palmieri. Carter has also done stints with various orchestras, including the Minnesota Orchestra, and was part of the Northrop Jazz Series in 2004.

Regina currently has five discs under her own name, two on Atlantic Records, Regina
Carter (1995) and Something for Grace (1997). In 1998 Regina changed record labels and in the spring of 1999 Rhythms of the Heart made it's debut under the auspices of VERVE Records (Universal). Her fourth CD, Motor City Moments, was released in September 2000 and is a tribute to the musical legacy of her hometown of Detroit. Freefall, a collaboration with pianist Kenny Barron was released in the spring of 2001 and was nominated for a GRAMMY Award in February 2002. The aforementioned Paganini: After A Dream, was released in April 2003 and her latest CD, I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey, made its debut in June of 2006. With that album, Regina pays homage to her late mother by performing music from the 20's,30's and 40's.

Carter further reveals her diverse musical personality with the upcoming release of Reverse Thread -a celebration of traditional African music with a modern perspective.

Will Holshouser | Accordion
Will Holshouser has carved himself a niche in the world of music with his accordion, working with the greats like Dave Douglas and David Krakauer, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra. Like Carter, he has a knack for playing across genres with a background in jazz, folk, classical, and has researched Louisiana's Cajun and Creole music with a grant from Wesleyan University. He composes and improvises, and has recorded three albums.

Christ Lightcap | Bass
Bassist Chris Lightcap began his musical education with piano and violin, but finally found the electric and upright bass, with which he's fine-tuned and perfected his skill. He received the Hutchinson Arts Grant from Williams College, studying with the late master bassist Milt Hinton and late master drummer Edward Blackwell. Lightcap then made his home in New York City, immersing himself in the jazz scene. He's recorded two albums, including one with the group Bigmouth. Lightcap has played on over 40 albums with other artists, including Carter's Pagannini: After a Dream album.

Alvester Garnett | Drums
Alvester Garnett's drum work has been the backbone of many collaborations with jazz legends such as vocalist Betty Carter, both Ellis and Wynton Marsalis, and pianist Cyrus Chestnut. After dabbling in tap dance, piano lessons, and various choirs, Garnett finally discovered the study of percussion at age 14. One of his early role models was Ellis Marsalis, who encouraged Garnett to listen to percussionists Max Roach, Billy Higgins, and Ed Blackwell. He studied again with Ellis Marsalis while he attended Virginia Commonwealth University. After achieving his degree, he worked with various musicians, including Carter.

Yocouba Sissoko | Kora
Master kora player Yacouba Sissoko was born in Mali, and began playing the African string instrument when he was 12 years old. He attended the Malian National Arts Institute in Bamako. After graduating, Sissoko performed in the Instrumental Ensemble of Mali, and then started playing with the Ensemble Koteba of Abidjan starting in 1993, touring all over the world for five years with the 45-piece band. He has also played with the Fula Flute Ensemble in New York City, which consists of some of the finest African-style musicians in North America. Sissoko's reputation as one of the premiere kora players across the globe has aided him in collaborating with many musicians in the worlds of jazz, R & B, traditional African music, and Latin.

RELATED EVENTS
Performance Preview
6:45 - 7:15 pm, TEd Mann Concert Hall
Open to all ticket holders

Local jazz critic, Pamela Espeland and Northrop Director, Ben Johnson interview band members Regina Carter and Yocouba Sissoko on the TEd Mann stage.

Jazz Lovers Reception featuring Sidewalk Café
Immediately following the Regina Carter concert
Nomad World Pub

Twin Cities based ensemble, Sidewalk Café plays the 1930s gypsy jazz popularized by guitarist Django Reinhart and legendary jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. The well- crafted trio digs deep into its swinging roots, playing with such bravado and passion that makes it easy for all ages to enjoy. The trio consists of Gary Schulte (violin), Reynold Philipsek (jazz guitar), and Jeff Brueske (bass).

Regina Carter and her quartet will attend for a meet and greet.

Admission is free with a Regina Carter concert ticket, with a suggested donation of $5-$10.

Individual Northrop Music tickets ($10-40) on sale through the Northrop Ticket Office at 612-624-2345, or room 105 Northrop, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, or by ordering online at northrop.umn.edu. Ask for available discounts.

To post a comment, you must register and login.