Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

Ron Carter/Don Was

Oct 17, 2024

In this conversation, Ron Carter, a legendary bassist and key figure of the Second Great Miles Davis Quintet, opens up about his rich musical journey, starting from his classical roots in Detroit to his influential role in jazz. Joined by Don Was, President of Blue Note Records, they delve into the challenges of transitioning between musical styles and the importance of community in a musician’s life. Ron shares insights on the bass’s pivotal role in collaboration and reflects on the legacy of jazz and its iconic studios, all while honoring the interconnectedness of musicians.

01:23:29

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Episode guests

Don Was

Ron Carter

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Ron Carter's transition from classical cello to bass, driven by a desire for more musical opportunities, shaped his influential career in jazz.

The rich cultural and social dynamics of Detroit fostered a vibrant music scene, significantly contributing to the birth of jazz and Motown.

Carter's experiences with racial discrimination in classical music highlight the urgent need for diversity and inclusion within the industry.

Deep dives

Ron Carter's Musical Journey

Ron Carter's journey into music began in an all-black elementary school in Detroit, where he initially chose the cello. After realizing he could find more opportunities as a bassist, he sold his cello and transitioned to playing the bass, ultimately earning a full scholarship to the Eastman School of Music. During his time at Eastman, he faced challenges as one of the few African American students, balancing his orchestral ambitions with budding jazz interests. Carter's experiences navigating both classical and jazz music have shaped his diverse career, propelling him into collaboration with iconic figures in the music world.

Intro

3min

Balancing Passion and Identity in Music

32min

Exploring Cybersecurity and Enhanced Service with 5G Technology

2min

Finding Harmony in Passion

11min

The Essential Role of Bass in Musical Collaboration

5min

The Jazz of Collaboration

21min

Legacy and Reflections in Jazz

12min

Preserving Musical History and Honoring Legends

3min

We’re continuing our celebration of Blue Note Records’ 85th Anniversary this week with a conversation with a certified living legend: Ron Carter. For starters Ron Carter was a key member of a group that’s on the shortlist for greatest band of all time: The Second Great Miles Davis Quintet featuring Mr. Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams and, naturally, Miles Davis.

And although many conversations with Ron start and end with that period of his life from 1964 to 1968, at 87 years of age and as a life long seeker, there’s a lot more to the Ron Carter story.

Blue Note president Don Was and Justin Richmond interviewed Ron Carter on stage at the Blue Note club in NYC. They set out to learn about his life growing up in Detroit, and his classical aspirations. Maestro Carter delivered an emotional stream of consciousness response as well as insights into a few key people from the Blue Note's esteemed history.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Ron Carter songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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