Renowned Jazz Musician Leads Workshops For Garden City Students

GARDEN CITY, NY — Esteemed jazz saxophonist Ronald Carter visited Garden City to lead workshops with the Middle School and High School jazz bands. The Garden City Friends of Music supported the clinics, where the student jazz musicians had the opportunity to learn advanced jazz playing and performance techniques.

"Professor Carter influenced us by showing his passion for jazz. His creative insight taught us how to stylistically play better as an ensemble and be more open as musicians," said co-jazz manager and high school senior Christopher Brooks. "He resembles what teaching from the heart looks like by showing us as much as he could in our workshop through his singing, dancing and talking about his past experiences with famous jazz musicians. It was a pleasure to work with him, as his influence should be passed on to all jazz musicians."

Eighth grader Evie Mohan said, “I loved his work and he really inspired me to keep pushing and doing my best. It was great to work with someone who is world-renowned and has worked with and taught so many famous musicians.”

Carter is a professor emeritus of Northern Illinois University School of Music. He served as the director of the jazz studies program and as the director of the jazz ensemble from 1994-2014. During his tenure at NIU, he also served for 23 years as the lead artist for Jazz at Lincoln Center Band Director Academy in New York City, and as a mentor and education consultant for the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Program.

Carter has facilitated workshops as the guest conductor, artist, clinician or adjudicator for colleges and universities throughout the United States and around the world. He has also been invited to be the guest conductor for All-State Jazz Bands in 24 states.