Caribbean Rhapsody

Caribbean Rhapsody
Studio album by James Carter
Released	May 17, 2011
Recorded	December 21, 2009 and March 18 & 19, 2010 Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio, Warsaw, Poland and Avatar Studios, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	45:00
Label	EmArcy
Producer	Michael Cuscuna
James Carter chronology
Heaven on Earth (2009) Caribbean Rhapsody (2011) At the Crossroads (2011)

Caribbean Rhapsody is an album by saxophonist James Carter composed and orchestrated by Roberto Sierra which was released on the EmArcy label in 2011.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
All About Jazz	[3]
The Guardian	[4]

The Allmusic review by Matt Collar says "A bold, adventurous performer with a titanic facility on the saxophone, Carter is perfectly suited for performing with large ensembles, and the orchestrations here are gorgeously rendered landscapes for Carter to play against. In fact, composer Sierra purposely left certain cadenzas and other areas of the scores on Caribbean Rhapsody open for Carter to improvise, and the results are nothing short of thrilling".^[2] In JazzTimes Bill Beuttler said "It’s unusual, and remarkable, in that it’s a full-fledged orchestral work penned with Carter’s improvisational genius firmly in mind, and it manages to successfully blend rhythmic nods to Sierra’s native Puerto Rico".^[5] On All About Jazz C. Michael Bailey noted "In a field populated by "good" and even "exceptional" recordings, it is nice to hear a Caribbean Rhapsody that is truly outstanding".^[3] The Guardian critic John Fordham wrote "It's a stylish success in a crossover territory often fraught with pitfalls".^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Roberto Sierra except as indicated

1. "Concerto for Saxophones and Orchestra: Ritmico" - 4:52
2. "Concerto for Saxophones and Orchestra: Tender" - 7:04
3. "Concerto for Saxophones and Orchestra: Playful -- Fast (With Swing)" - 7:39
4. "Tenor Interlude" (James Carter) - 5:34
5. "Caribbean Rhapsody" - 13:37
6. "Soprano Interlude" (Carter) - 6:14

Personnel

• James Carter - soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
• Sinfonia Varsovia conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero (tracks 1-3)
• Regina Carter - solo violin (track 5)
• Akua Dixon String Quintet: (track 5)
  • Patrisa Tomasini, Chala Yancy - violin
  • Ron Lawrence - viola
  • Akua Dixon - cello
  • Kenny Davis - bass

References