Additional Photos

Regina was the artist in residence at the 47^th annual Monterey Jazz Festival and it was such a pleasure to watch her perform at multiple venues there. The crowds at Monterey are huge and that experience is quite different from the plush and intimate venue at Catalinas Bar and Grill in Los Angeles. I just saw Regina two days ago and I am right back, in another city to listen and watch this extraordinary talent sing on her violin once again.

 

Regina must be one of the sweetest and down to earth players on the planet. She is so peaceful, always smiling and such a pleasure to be around. I dropped in at the second set at Catalinas and ran into Don Heckman on the way out. I heard that he wrote a very favorable article about Regina. How could he not, there is so much talent wrapped up in this bundle of joy that there is no way that you could experience anything else but elation.

 

I sat with Carmen Lundy and her good friend Elisabeth Oei, who has some exciting plans for promoting performances for Carmen in the near future. Regina came out and started playing a piece that she had learned in her tap dancing lessons when she was just 4 years old, “Chattanooga Choo Choo”. You can tell it brought back memories and as soon as you heard the first few notes, you can imagine the taps of this cute talented little 4 year old girl, destined to share her creativity with the world. Yes, I am sure that she was talented then but today, at the top of her game, Regina controls the present and the future of the violin for jazz.

 

Literally two days ago, we were just in Monterey, one of the world’s largest jazz festivals on earth and Regina closed out the festival with a standing ovation! Usually in life, people only remember you by your first and last impressions. I can tell you that from the first time I met Regina until this very moment, I am still just as enamored by her virtuosic talent and dynamic command of an instrument that does not often lend itself to jazz music. Of course there have been those before her that have paved the way such as Stephane Grapelli, Stuff Smith, Jean-Luc Ponte and others. Each have taken the violin and propelled it to new heights adding their style and dimension to the sound of the instrument. Regina now holds that torch and continues to take her classical/jazz trained influences to transform the listening of jazz lovers, classical enthusiasts and those who are passionate about all forms of music.

The slow and somber timbre of “Dance for a Dead Princess” was a piece that made me imagine two lovers reuniting after a tumultuous quarreling. “Pavane for a Dead Princess” is actually a piece written by Maurice Ravel, known for his “Bolero”, which was a processional dance very common in England, France and Italy during the 16^th Century. I watched Carmen as she was completely still, absorbing the precious love emanating from the stage. Regina and her band have a way of adding their touch to beauty and creating even more perfection.

 

David Budway plays the piano with such emotion. His body is so rigid at times and locked in to producing the right sound at the precise moment. Mayra Casales is an outstanding percussion player. She is so full of life, passion and energy in person that it carries right over to her playing. Alvester Garnett is the cool time keeper for the band. He lays down some marvelous rhythms and sweeps with his brushes. Chris Lightcap is a tall drink of water, flowing down the neck of his bass, creating beautiful solos and holds down the bottom with confidence and ease.

 

Regina is just as affected by the music as her audience. Even though she is not playing a wind instrument, her deep breathing makes her one with the violin and the music. Think of the joy you feel when things are created in the world. Things like babies, flowers, paintings, sculptures, relationships and other creations that bring about this elated feeling. When you are able to witness Regina Carter’s band perform, you experience all of those beautiful images of happiness and creativity that add light and love to your musical spirit.

 

 

LeRoy Downs