Never Say Never

SmoothJazz.com Review

     

Trumpet/flugelhorn phenom Duane Carter has some amazing credits, dating back to his music training at South Central L.A.’s Locke High, where world-class instructors sent him away with the same education that has spawned talent like Patrice Rushen, Gerald Albright, “Ndugu” Leon Chancellor, and EW&F sax man Gary Bias. Then there are the continuing jazz and classical studies, ten years with the U.S. Army Band, BA and MA degrees, plus numerous awards for his compositions, arrangements, and sound designs. All of this history factors into what is a truly remarkable collection of multi-hued textures and sounds on NEVER SAY NEVER, Mr. Carter’s second solo release. He doesn’t like to pigeon-hole, and his penchant for musical diversity shines brightly here, with sounds ranging from funk to samba, rap to salsa, and even a touch of ambient. Duane speaks eloquently of his music, as he states, “I’m about music that speaks to the soul… to represent some of the experiences I have encountered during my journey through life, like musical landmarks.” NEVER SAY NEVER offers a decidedly organic sound, with jazz underpinnings clearly in evidence on every track, and a consistency of performance from the Austin, Texas resident and his band that ties this album together beautifully as a whole. Duane Carter’s NEVER SAY NEVER compels me to want to hear a lot more from this talented horn player! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN