Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes

This is simply the finest book on a bass player's life and career that I have ever read, edging out George Duvivier's book slightly since he did not live to see it published and was not as detailed as this one is. This one has a lot of Ron's comments and observations.It covers all of Carter's career from his high school, college and professional endeavors and in great details, many of which will be new to even the most avid Carter fan. There is absolutely no question that Carter is far and away the most recorded person in the history of planet earth in ANY genre of music and he belongs in the Guiness Book of Records for this. He has amassed over 3000 recordings to date and guess what? He is still at it at the age of 76 and going very strong. Any luminary that was around when he was he played with: We all know his time with Miles Davis but he also played with people like: Kenny Burrell,Bobby Timmons, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Cherry, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, Sonny Clark, Dexter Gordon, Thelonious Monk,Oscar Peterson, Booker Ervin, John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Alice Coltrane, Benny Golson,Jo Jones,Phil Woods, Joe Henderson, Andrew Hill, Harumi Kaneko, Red Garland, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Chico Hamilton, Oliver Nelson, George Duvivier, King Curtis,Wayne Shorter, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Philly Joe Jones, Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley, Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham, Lockjaw Davis, Johnny Griffin, Shirley Scott,Blue Mitchell, Wynton Kelly, Milt Jackson, Hank Crawford, Esther Phillips,Hank Jones,Houston Person, Joey DeFransesco, Helen Merrill and this is just a good month for him. The book details his experiences with the people he played with, the music structures, his issues with being recognized, his cello work early on and the author really probes into his musical genius and the book is a very pleasant read. I most highly recommend it to any person who wants to look into the life of a master musician like Ron is. I have had the pleasure of meeting him 3 or 4 times and he is always so gracious to me and signs my records and Downbeat magazines, takes the time to talk to me and makes me feel like he really appreciates me buying his music. I own over 800 of his recordings, which is of course, just a drop in the bucket of his total output but I am trying to get as many as I can his work is more amazing that you can realize.The book really details some new items to me like his work with Monk in 1962 and having to ride to Philly from NYC after school 5 days a week with the Baroness's Rolls Royce, having almost come to blows with Pianist Harold Mabern over a disagreement of the way some music should be played and subbing for Ray Brown in the Oscar Peterson trio while he went to school in Eastman in Rochester and what happened afterwards (get the book to see what it was) among other tidbits. Most fascinating is his ongoing dealings with Christian McBride, again the book details how they got along and what Christian was able to pick up from him while learning to be the great bassist he obviously is now. In short, even though it is expensive and a bit hard to find, get this book right away if you have even a remote interest in jazz, it is fantastic. I am lucky enough to have 2 autographed copies of the book the first edition and the second one he brushed up and put out himself, I will treasure these forever.

Trade size.425 pages,not including acknowledgments or index. There is an extensive selected discography of Carter's work. There are also appendices which includes comments and opinions from other musicians,awards won by Carter,and a section of infrequently asked questions,which give even more insight into Carter's life. There is an introduction by Nat Hentoff,one of the premier jazz writers and critics. Periodically throughout there are a number of black and white photographs which add to the overall story. THIS BOOK IS STILL AVAILABLE.This is an informative,well written book by Dan Ouellette,on one of the premier bassists of this or any other time. Carter has played and recorded with most,if not all,the jazz heavyweights of the Twentieth Century. He has played on so many recording dates,that he long ago lost count. He is also a composer of note. Look at virtually any good jazz recording from the great era of jazz,and you'll probably see Carter's name listed on the credits. He has played/recorded with Nat Adderely,Gene Ammons,George Benson,Stanley Turrentine,and Miles Davis,among many others,and has recorded a number of albums as a leader.The book itself is laid out more or less chronologically,starting with Carter's early years,and then proceeds through his music education,and then into his working years as a bassist. Along the way there are a number of small tales woven into the main story,which give a better insight into the times and Carter's history. Here is truly an insider's view of jazz and the people who make it. Anyone with a passing knowledge of jazz musicians will recognize many names throughout this captivating book. There is an extensive section on Miles Davis,and how Carter came to play with this jazz icon. From the first meeting with Davis,to Carter's eventual departure (he wanted to stay home with his children),there is good insight into both Carter and Davis and the inner workings of this famous,historic band. From there the book continues into Carter's work with Creed Taylor of CTI Records. When CTI finally imploded,Carter moved over to Orrin Keepnews's Milestone Records label,and from there to an EMI label in Japan and then to the much heralded Blue Note Records label,and,finally,into Carter's free lance years. From there he talks about his classical and movie work. All through this section of the book are well thought out,informative asides and views into both jazz and the inner workings of the business.Another great part of this book,is that occasionally there are short written sections which are stories unto themselves. Rudy Van Gelder writes about Carter;there's the time Carter played with the great guitarist Bill Frisell;and the young bassist Christian McBride tells of his meeting with Carter and how he was influenced by him. All these stories are woven seamlessly into the body of the book,and give an even better picture of Ron Carter's influence on jazz and jazz musicians.Anyone with an interest in jazz and,most importantly,an interest in one of the greatest musicians to have ever played in the genre will find this book informative,interesting,and just plain fun to read. To read this book is to open a window into the jazz world,when jazz was at one of it's most important points. Here,Carter's life and the lives of many other jazz musicians give a true insider's view of that world. We can be grateful that Carter's intelligence and insight,combined with Ouellette's writing skills have given us such a wonderful book.This book probably cannot be found in your neighborhood bookstore. Its available through [...]. One great thing is that my copy is signed by both Carter and Ouellette. You can't find that everyday in a bookstore. And on that note(no pun intended),don't let this great book fall by the wayside-it deserves a place on your shelf of great books about jazz. And tell all your jazz friends.P.S. I wasn't aware that Amazon would edit out of my review where you can purchase this book. The brackets are Amazon's not mine.

Ron Carter's book is more of a supplement than a complete book method for bassists. Great advice and exercises on technique and sound from this all time great who want to take their playing further. A CD is also included.

Still in process of reading through it

excellent

Its the music that matters and Ron Carter is amongst those that set the standard for jazz. Dan Oullette has set a new standard for jazz biography. As the previous review details, the biography has breadth and depth, it is biography, not hagiography. It is honest and the subject inspires.This biography is well written and provides essential threads to discover all aspects of the Carter musical library as well as works by many others. The Miles Davis period is addressed directly and powerfully but given balance and context as a milestone and watershed not the be all and end all of Ron Carter.Equally important, we are, to the extent a biography can, given an insight into the subject and his path to success. We learn much more than any personal development literature can tell us. Carter models the virtues of leadership, professionalism, practice, authenticity, self awareness and trusting his colleagues. His musical journey speaks in the right notes.

The best bassist playing Jazz today!

THE master bass player tells it all in a sometimes funny manner. Quick easy, enlightening read.

This book is excellent. To start with - it looks and feels good. You want to read it. The presentation is first class. Next, the subject - Ron Carter - is a fascinating and highly talented individual whose life story covers one of the most interesting periods in the development of modern jazz. The description of his growth into one of the top musicians in his field is clearly laid out with anecdotes and contributions from a host of fellow musicians who have both worked with Ron Carter and also benefitted from his role as a teacher and mentor.Although mainly known for his work with Miles Davis, Ron Carter has worked with a wide range of other musicians and appeared on numerous recordings where his reliability, top notch reading skills and imaginative bass playing have provided an added dimension to those sessions. He has also led a number of groups of his own over the years with varying success ranging from duos with guitar - notably Jim Hall - to a nonet featuring the lower strings including four cellos.Dan Ouellette has produced an excellent book with great care and attention to detail. I can highly recommend it.

Ich dachte eigentlich, ganz gut englisch zu verstehen, Dan Quellette zeigt mir, dass nur noch große Bereiche fehlen. Es ist schade, dass das Lesen dieses Buches über diesen einmaligen Ron Carter so schwierig ist.

Surpris à quelle vitesse le produit est arrivé. C'était en excellent état - l'emballage était superbe.