Paul Carr Quartet - Juneteenth 2022

Recorded on 6/19/22

Paul Carr Quartet: Songs of Hope & Freedom to Celebrate Juneteenth

In remembrance of the historic African American “Juneteenth” Emancipation of the former Texas slaves. The term comes from the date June 19th,1865 when slaves in Texas were freed although slavery had been officially abolished more than two years earlier. Today, Juneteenth continues to be celebrated throughout the country as a ritual of cultural pride and historical  continuity.

Paul Carr, saxophone
Allyn Johnson, piano
Michael Bowie, bass
Chris Latona, drums

Paul Carr, a Houston native and 1985 Howard University graduate, has dedicated his professional career to mastering the saxophone and the art of Jazz. He carries on the Texas tenor tradition espoused by great heroes such as the late Houstonians Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson who served as his early idols and mentors. He grew up in inner-city Houston and was a member of the Kashmere High School Stage Band, whose director, the late Conrad Johnson, is the subject of a documentary, Thunder Soul, produced by actor Jamie Foxx.

Paul has recorded 5 CD’s, which have been well received by critics and jazz fans alike. He has toured Russia, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Central and South America and has shared the stage with the greatest names in jazz. Paul was a favorite of President Clinton during his term in office and performed at many of the Clintons' private events. He also did a special performance for the late King Hussein and Queen Noir of Jordan at their residence in Aqaba, Jordan.

Paul is passionately committed to the education of children and particularly as it relates to the preservation of jazz. In 2002, he founded the Jazz Academy of Music, which hosts summer camps and jazz ensembles for kids throughout the year. Paul has changed the lives of hundreds of his students by selflessly sharing his knowledge of music and life. Several of his students have been admitted and even received full scholarships to some of the top music schools and conservatories in the country. In fact, five of Paul's students have been admitted to the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York.

Paul’s work was acknowledged in 2012 by ABC Channel 7 News when he was selected as a “Harris Hero” for his amazing work with music students across the area. In 2014, Paul received the prestigious, Howard University, “Benny Golson Jazz Master Award” for his outstanding work as a performer, presenter and educator. He served as a panelist at the 2014 Congressional Black Caucus where he spoke on the importance of jazz education and advocated for a Bill for federal support toward the advancement and preservation of traditional jazz.

In 2010, Paul re-established the East Coast Jazz Festival as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and serves as its Executive and Artistic Director. The festival enjoys over 2,000 attendees that travel from states across the U.S. and beyond. 

Streaming  Cost is $15
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