Listen "Contemplation and Ron Carter"
Episode Synopsis
(70) “Contemplation” and Ron Carter Standard Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 6 Ron Carter, born in 1937, is one of the most influential jazz bassists in history, with a career spanning over six decades and more than 2,000 recordings. Originally a cellist from Detroit, Carter switched to bass at 14 and studied at the Eastman School of Music before becoming a staple of the New York jazz scene in the 1960s. His work with Miles Davis’ “Second Great Quintet” solidified his legacy, and he has since led numerous projects, including his Grammy-winning 2022 album Skyline. A dedicated educator at Juilliard since 2008, Carter remains a humble and passionate advocate for lifelong learning in music. “Contemplation,” from McCoy Tyner’s 1967 album The Real McCoy, features Carter’s signature bass work and showcases his subtlety and depth. The piece is a meditative 16-bar waltz in C minor, with a minimalist bass line built on just three notes—C, F, and G—creating a grounded, reflective mood. The melody, played by Joe Henderson, is sparse and introspective, while Tyner’s harmonic language offers modal richness and emotional depth. Carter’s solo is melodic and thoughtful, aligning with the tune’s mood. A 2003 reimagining on Land of Giants features Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, offering a fresh take on this timeless composition.McCoy Tyner-The Real McCoy McCoy Tyner -Land of Giant The Jazz Real Book
More episodes of the podcast The Jazz Real Book
Eighty One and Ron Carter
04/01/2026
Sullivan Fortner Interview
02/01/2026
Ecclusiastics and Charles Mingus
28/12/2025
Easy To Love and Gene Ammons
21/12/2025
John Goldsby Interview
18/12/2025
Easy Living and Paul Desmond
14/12/2025
Mauricio Morales and Adam Hersch Interview
10/12/2025
Easter Parade and Roy Eldridge
07/12/2025
Alan Broadbent Interview
03/12/2025
Always and Irving Berlin
30/11/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.