Ron Carter Nonet

Ron Carter Nonet: Eight Plus

by Mark F. Turner
February 21, 2003

The timing is definitely appropriate for the release of the Ron Carter Nonet's 1990 record Eight Plus, with today's seemingly resurgence of octets, nonets, and mid-size jazz groups. Mr. Carter adds a twist by featuring his skills on the piccolo bass. Combine a quartet of cellos with a horn-less jazz quintet, and the compositions stretch far beyond the typical jazz environment.

Ron Carter is a jazz icon whose talent and vision speaks volumes. He has performed on hundreds of recordings, ...

Ron Carter Nonet: Eight Plus

by C. Michael Bailey
February 19, 2003

With Stardust (Blue Note 37813, 2002) bassist Ron Carter produced a tasteful collection of standards as a tribute to Oscar Pettiford, impeccably conceived and performed. It was a safe affair where creative risk was minimal. Not so on Eight Plus. Here, Carter employs his trusty piccolo bass and a quartet of cellos. That alone should be strange enough. However, recent recordings have delivered a spate of trombone jazz orchestras, so why not a cello jazz orchestra? Additionally, Carter is more ...