It’s Tuesday night here at one of LA best places to see jazz music, The Jazz Bakery. My sinuses have me all plugged up but, my hearing is just fine, and I am ready to experience the dynamic and thought provoking sounds of Mr. James Carter.

I have met James very briefly a few times before and he is a cool cat, with a great sense of humor, who just wants to get down and do his thing. He has a very special thing in that he takes time to explore the sounds that are outside the box. Taking his instrument, stretching it beyond its normal limits and incorporating sounds that other musicians have yet to find.

This is the first show of the first night and the audience banter is high, a great size crowd for a Tuesday night. The lights are lowered and the cats hit the stage, “Ladies and Gentleman, would you please welcome James Carter and his Quintet!”

James hits the stage full of personality, a modern day Cannonball Adderley. He says that the performances this week are a work in progress, virgin territory. Well, we all know how exciting virgin territory can be! This was no exception. For some, “work in progress” is generally an excuse to let things happen as they may, kind of a disclaimer. Not the case here.

One, two, uh uh uh uh  BAM! The Quintet is off to high speed and James is all over it. He is very expressive and not a player who stands still on stage. I was trying to take a few pictures of him and he would not stand still! He is like Muhammad Ali doin’ the rope-a-dope only he is swingin’ licks and blows that sting and knock you out in a different way. He is into the sound of his music and you can tell that he is really enjoying himself. The audience is hanging on tight for the ride.

These cats are swingin’ in eight and waking up the dead! No sleepy heads to night, heads are bobbin’ and weavin’. The tunes run the gamut from super speed to saucy, thick as molasses, sticky wicked!

James and the band are like mad cats in the jazz jungle tearin’ up the place with sounds that are alive, fresh, innovative and very creative. From alto to tenor to soprano, James is like the prince at the thrown of the Jazz Bakery, spreading good will to the people. If you would like to be a royal subject in the sound of great music, get out and see James Carter and his Quintet here at the Bakery until April 1, 2004.

LeRoy Downs