August 13–20, 1998
critic pick|jazz
Betty Carter
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The mercurial vocalist, now 68 years old, is not an easy lady to describe. Too sly and bawdy to be categorized as "diva," too subtle and studiously facile to be "avant-garde," and too goddamned talented to be called "prima donna," Carter rules her own roost. Whether interpreting the work of the Gershwins, the Hammersteins, Disney or cruising a weird path through her own energetic melodies, Carter always takes the road less traveled.
She started her career on smoother terms, singing for Lionel Hampton and Gigi Gryce until fate brought her to Ray Charles. In 1961 she recorded a duet album with Brother Ray (Betty Carter and Ray Charles, now on Rhino) full of slippery blues and steamy standard-style R&B (a Babyface/Des'ree of its time). After that session she recorded some quiet jazz records for Roulette. In '71, though, she started her own poorly distributed label Bet-Car and formed a trio that toured relentlessly. She released on stage and on vinyl (rare, but soon to be re-released) the most fiery, quirky vocal jazz on the planet. If you're looking for the best representation of Carter's blend of delicate balladry and rubbery avant-blues, dig 1980's live The Audience with Betty Carter (BC/Verve). This two-disc set crackles with magical, phase-shifting interpretations of Rodgers & Hart ("I Could Write A Book") and Oscar Hammerstein ("My Favorite Things") made complete by the backing of pianist John Hicks and bassist Curtis Lundy, players made famous by their association with Carter. But the real voodoo is found in signature Carter jazz moments like "I Think I Got It Now," "Tight" and "Fake." These jive-talking, car-horn-hooting tunes move with elastic grace and twisted tempo changes. Every moment's more unexpected than the last. And though she's mellowed in the '90s to a finely burnished roar (dig Look What I Got and Feed The Fire) and a well respected position within the jazz community, you never know where Betty Carter's tenor moan is gonna go next.
The Betty Carter Trio and the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Thu., Aug. 13, 8 p.m., Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd & Parkside Ave., 336-2000.
