Radio de Regina Carter

Regina Carter (born August 6, 1966, Detroit, Michigan) is an American jazz violinist. Carter began as a classical violinist, but became interested in jazz , and is considered one of the finest violinists in the genre. She is the cousin of famous jazz saxophonist James Carter. Carter attended Cass Technical High School with close friend jazz singer Carla Cook, who was enthusiastic about jazz, and introduced her to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald. Cook went on to become a successful jazz singer. Carter received a degree in music from Oakland University and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston before forging her jazz career. She began leading her first band, an electric band. Carter first came into the spotlight as the violinist for the all female jazz quintet Straight Ahead, with Cynthia Dewberry, Gailyn Mckinney, Eilleen Orr, and Marion Hayden who Branford Marsalis was quoted as saying "They truly Swing" in the early to mid 90s. They released a trio of albums on the Atlantic Jazz label including their self titled debut, "Body & Soul", and "Look Straight Ahead." Carter went solo before the release of their third album 'Dance of the Forest Rain" and began an impressive run, establishing herself as a force in the jazz world on the violin.