Carter, Robert

Art and Mind

http://www.robertcartermusic.com/

Robert studied piano with the great Russian teacher Tamara Osborn, herself a pupil of Artur Schnabel in Berlin between the wars. Always an improvisor, Robert's jazz studies developed in parallel with his classical studies. Since the eighties, he has worked as a pianist on the contemporary jazz scene in the UK. Composing has played an increasingly important part of his musical activities.

Over the years Robert has performed in many different settings: past jazz projects include a long-standing duo with the saxophonist Andy Panayi, 'free improv.' work with drummer Ken Hyder, composing collaborations with Lammas guitarist Don Paterson. In 1987 he formed the popular fusion band The Breeze with Tim Garland, Richard Edwards and Marc Parnell. The band's album 'Heading South' was recorded in 1990.

Current projects include the Robert Carter Trio with Tim Wells (bass) and Mark Fletcher (drums). The Robert Carter Quintet is the trio plus Andy Panayi (saxes) and Martin Shaw (trumpet). The Trio's debut album 'Coincidence' was released on Flame Records in 1999 to critical acclaim. In 2003 Robert recorded an album of film music - 'Regret and Other Feelings' - together with a new Flame Records release of contemporary jazz for solo piano, 'Nowhere To Hide' . The Quintet's work is represented by a demo CD 'Comparing Notes', recorded in 2004, and featuring Robert's more recent compositions.

Apart from composing over 85 works for many different jazz groups, Robert has written music for films and television, and has worked as a musical director, both in television and the theatre.

In 2002 his work took a new direction - piano improvisations not in the jazz idiom, but in the language of contemporary (or new) 'classical' music. He calls it 'spontaneous composing', and as such is not to be confused with the more random approach associated with free jazz. The work resulted in a short CD 'From The Air' , and offers of recital engagements in the UK.

Robert's influences are wide-ranging ... among them are Olivier Messiaen, J.S.Bach, Robert Schumman, Bill Evans, Glenn Gould, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Enrico Pieranunzi ...

The critic Philip Clark has described Robert's piano style as "combining something of the rich lyricism and classical touch of Bill Evans and more recent Keith Jarrett with a spikier edge, perhaps derived from Paul Bley and Lennie Tristano"