Renowned violinist, Regina Carter set to address UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music graduates on June 11.
Regina Carter, a globally recognised jazz violinist, is set to deliver the keynote address at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's 2021 commencement celebration on June 11, 2021.
Carter's career achievements, awards, and collaborations have significantly impacted jazz music, earning her a place among the genre's leading figures. Her unique sound transcends genres and cultures, as per Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the School of Music, Arturo O'Farrill's description.
Career Achievements and Timeline
Regina Carter’s career spans several decades, during which she has become known as a leading figure in jazz violin. She has been featured in prominent shows and projects, underscoring her standing in jazz circles. Carter has performed globally and collaborated extensively, including appearances at major jazz festivals and prestigious venues, indicating a sustained and influential career.
Awards and Honors
Regina Carter is an NEA Jazz Master, one of the highest honors in jazz awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, recognising her artistic excellence and contributions to jazz. She has also received the MacArthur "genius" and Doris Duke Artist Awards. Carter has won multiple readers' and critics' poll awards by leading industry publications such as DownBeat and JazzTimes. In 2018, she was named artistic director of the New Jersey Performing Arts All-Female Jazz Residency and received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Improvised Solo.
Collaborations
Carter has worked with a range of notable jazz musicians, including Dick Hyman, Houston Person, Russell Malone, and Ken Peplowski, evidencing her integration and influence in the jazz community. She has collaborated with saxophonists Houston Person and David “Fathead” Newman, along with other violinists like Jeremy Cohen and Mads Tolling. Her mentorship and working relationship with emerging jazz artists like Jauron Perry, a young trumpeter, also signify her influence on the next generation of jazz musicians.
Impact on Jazz
Regina Carter is noted for elevating the profile of the violin in jazz, traditionally a less common instrument in the genre. Through her distinctive style and high-profile collaborations, she has contributed to broadening jazz’s instrumental and cultural scope, inspiring both contemporaries and younger musicians.
While detailed information on a full chronology of her awards and specific recordings or projects is not provided in the search results, her recognition as an NEA Jazz Master and her broad collaborative efforts clearly affirm her significant impact on jazz music.
UCLA Commencement Celebration
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's 2021 commencement celebration will feature performances by students and student remarks, in addition to Regina Carter's keynote address. Eileen Strempel, the dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, expressed honour for Regina Carter's participation in the event. The virtual commencement celebration will empower and inspire students as they continue their studies and embark upon their careers.
Carter began studying the violin at the age of 4 and trained at the New England Conservatory of Music and at Oakland University in Michigan for jazz. She tours with her own group and has performed as a guest soloist with various artists, including Mary J. Blige, Joe Jackson, Billy Joel, and Dolly Parton.
In her keynote address, Regina Carter is expected to inspire students who are looking for role models that speak to the issues facing music making today, including diversifying the pool so that all are invited to the table regardless of race, gender, preference, ethnicity, or aesthetic. O'Farrill described Carter as the quintessential musician of the future, defining herself not by genres but by the continuum of all that connects music.
As a distinguished jazz violinist delivering the keynote address at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's 2021 commencement celebration, Regina Carter's influence extends beyond her exceptional musical skills. Her career achievements, marked by prestigious awards such as the NEA Jazz Master, have not only cemented her place among the genre's leading figures but have also impacted jazz education and self-development, offering valuable lessons for aspiring musicians in entertainments sphere. Her collaborations with diverse musicians, spanning across different genres, illustrate her ability to bridge cultural divides and inspire learning, evidence of her status as the quintessential musician of the future.
