Street Of Dreams – 2012

A dazzling virtuoso on saxophones, James Carter is at his best when he is playing his main ax, the tenor.

As can be heard at the beginning and unaccompanied section of what was originally listed as “JC On The Set” (it is actually “Street Of Dreams”), Carter can do things on the tenor that few others can equal including referring to every style of jazz, utilizing slap tonguing, displaying a huge tone worthy of Ben Webster or Don Byas, and infusing his music with a strong sense of humor.

Carter is joined by pianist Mike Jellick, bassist Marion Hayden, and drummer Sean Dobbins at a Detroit concert on July 16, 2012, putting plenty of feeling into each note and filling his solo and closing cadenza with surprises even while sticking near the melody.

-Scott Yanow